Calcutta HC Refuses Action Against ECI Police Observer IPS Ajay Pal Sharma Ahead of Crucial Bengal Voting Phase

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday declined to pass any interim order against IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma, who is currently on election duty, until April 29—the date scheduled for the second phase of polling in West Bengal.

The observation was made by Justice Krishna Rao while hearing a verbal submission seeking restrictions on Sharma. The officer, appointed as a police observer by the Election Commission of India for South 24 Parganas, was accused of breaching the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel urged the court to intervene immediately, alleging misconduct. However, Justice Rao made it clear that no directive would be issued that could impact officials engaged in election-related responsibilities before polling concludes on April 29. The court also noted that the formal petition had yet to be filed.

When further allegations surfaced—claiming that the officer was intimidating voters—the bench advised the complainant to approach the Election Commission directly. The lawyer stated that the matter had already been raised with the poll authority, but no action had been taken so far.

Sharma is among several observers deployed to monitor law and order and ensure smooth conduct of voting during the ongoing elections.

Meanwhile, West Bengal is gearing up for a significant electoral exercise, with 142 assembly constituencies set to vote in the second phase on April 29. The first phase, covering 152 constituencies, saw a record voter turnout of 93.19 percent. Vote counting is scheduled for May 4.

The 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections have emerged as a fiercely competitive contest, with the ruling All India Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee facing a strong challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party. The high-stakes battle has intensified across both urban and rural regions, turning the election into a direct and closely watched political showdown.