Over 1.09 lakh Non-bailable Warrants Executed in Bengal: Official

More than 1.09 lakh non-bailable arrest warrants have been executed in West Bengal from December 1, 2015, to March 23, a senior Election Commission official said on Friday.

“In total, 1,09,457 non-bailable warrants were executed in 26 police authorities’ areas, including various districts and commissionerates, from December 1 to March 23,” said Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dibyendu Sarkar.

South 24 Paraganas tops with execution of 10,611 warrants, followed by Murshidabad with 10,606, according to the poll panel. In Biddhannagar police commissionarate area, 1,009 warrants have been executed.

Jhargram police district has reported the least number (793) of execution of such warrants.

As many as 18,388 cases of non-bailable arrest warrants are pending, he said.

Sarkar said the commission has issued specific instructions on execution of non-bailable warrants.

Asked about cases where the accused have been able to get bails despite non-bailable warrants, he said: “The court concerned is the authority to take decisions on who will get bail and who will not. This does not fall in the election commission’s area.”

The Election Commission, however, can ask for written undertakings of good conduct from notorious criminals or from those who have got bail despite non-bailable warrants, Sarkar said.

In that case, the accused would be under the poll panel scanner, he added.

Image – Soldiers of paramilitary forces deployed during a CPI-M rally in Birati, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal ahead of state assembly polls on March 20, 2016. (Photo: IANS)