SC stays arrest warrant against Bengal BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh till poll ends

The former IPS officer, who is contesting from Debra constituency of West Midnapore district, sought a stay of the arrest warrant and quashing of the FIR lodged against her in connection with a 2019 Lok Sabha poll violence case.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the arrest warrant issued against BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh till the conclusion of the Assembly election in West Bengal.

The baliable arrest warrant was issued against Ms. Ghosh, a former IPS officer, in connection with the Lok Sabha election held in 2019.

A three-judge Bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, S. Abdul Nazeer and Hemant Gupta ordered the authorities to not take any coercive action against Ms. Ghosh.

The top court listed the matter for further hearing after two months.

Ms. Ghosh, who has been fielded by the BJP for the Assembly poll in West Bengal from the Debra constituency of West Midnapore district, had moved the top court for a stay of the arrest warrant and quashing of the FIR lodged against her in connection with the 2019 Lok Sabha poll violence case.

Ms. Ghosh is contesting against Humayun Kabir, a Trinamool Congress candidate and also a former IPS officer.

She said despite the Supreme Court's protection earlier in 2019, the State government had continued to frame her in cases propelled by “ulterior political motives”.