Kolkata, Nov 25, : .A day after Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister, met Prime Minister NarendraModi in the capital and asked him to withdraw the decision to extend territorial jurisdiction to BSF in her state’s territory, a PIL was filed at Calcutta High Court challenging Home Ministry’s decision.
It was deemed against the federal structure. Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), extended the jurisdiction of Border Security Force (BSF), up to 50km within the international borders in West Bengal and Punjab.
On November 16, the West Bengal Assembly passed a resolution opposing the Centre’s decision.It became the second state, after Punjab, to oppose the move in its state legislature.
According to the Calcutta High Court’s public interest litigation (PIL), the decision to expand the territorial jurisdiction of BSF was against the Indian Constitution’s federal structure.The petitioner claimed that the MHA decision would reduce the power of state.
Advocate Sabyasachi chattopadhyay, pleading for the petitioner, said, “Initially, we thought that the Chief Minister would take action against this unconstitutional move, however, she is doing nothing.” She is going to Delhi, but she is doing nothing.This is a matter that is against the federal structure.We have challenged the constitutional viability and validity of the law.”
Chief Justice Prakash Srivastava’s division bench directed the Director General of BSF, to inform the court about this case.The next hearing is scheduled for December 14.
sbg/arm #Calcutta #BSFs #Delhi
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