The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the State Election Commission (SEC) and the state government to file their response to the allegations made by the central force coordinator for West Bengal panchayat elections about alleged non-cooperation by them. The court asked the SEC and the state government to file their response through separate affidavits by July 24.

The BSF IG, who is the central force coordinator, in a report before the court, alleged non-cooperation on the part of the SEC and the state government. The court said that on perusal of the report by the force coordinator, the allegations are found to be very serious, particularly against the SEC.

“If the allegations set out in the report ultimately turn out to be true, then it would be tantamount to a clear case of wilful disobedience of the order and direction issued by this court,” the court said.

The court was hearing contempt petitions alleging that the SEC had not implemented the High Court’s orders regarding the deployment of central forces and ensuring free and fair elections. The court had on July 4 directed the deployment of central forces in all polling booths in the state.

The matter will be heard again on July 26.

The court also directed the West Bengal chief secretary to hold a meeting with the BSF IG, the state DGP, the ADG (Law and Order), the home secretary, and other officers as may be required to take policy decisions on the deployment of central forces for 10 days in the aftermath of the panchayat polls.