The legal battle over the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency has entered a significant phase after the Calcutta High Court ordered the preservation of crucial election-related evidence. The directive came in response to a petition filed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has challenged her defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections and alleged serious irregularities during the vote-counting process.

The court's order ensures that electronic voting records and surveillance footage connected to the election remain intact while the case proceeds. Political observers view the development as an important step in a high-profile electoral dispute that could have broader implications for election transparency and accountability.

Court Protects Key Evidence

During a hearing on Tuesday, the Calcutta High Court directed the concerned authorities to preserve all CCTV footage recorded inside and outside the counting centre on May 4, 2026. The order also covers all Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) Control Units, Ballot Units and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines used in the 159-Bhabanipur Assembly constituency.

The court specifically instructed that these materials must not be erased, tampered with, overwritten, destroyed, redeployed or opened without prior judicial approval.

Justice Gaurang Kanth observed that the election petition had prima facie complied with the requirements of Sections 81, 82 and 117 of the Representation of the People Act. As a result, the court declined to dismiss the petition at the preliminary stage.

Mamata Banerjee Challenges Result

The dispute stems from the Bhabanipur Assembly election, where Mamata Banerjee was defeated by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari by a margin of 15,105 votes.

In her petition, Banerjee has alleged large-scale irregularities during the counting process and questioned the validity of the final outcome. According to her legal team, the Trinamool Congress chief was leading the contest until the 12th round of counting before the situation changed dramatically.

Her counsel, Kalyan Banerjee, argued before the court that TMC counting agents were allegedly assaulted and removed from the counting centre. The petitioner claims that CCTV footage captured the events in question.

Counting Process Under Scrutiny

The allegations have placed the counting process at the centre of the legal dispute. Election petitions challenging results often require substantial documentary and electronic evidence, making the preservation of CCTV footage and voting machines critical for future proceedings.

Legal experts say the court's directive does not validate the allegations but ensures that relevant evidence remains available if the claims need to be examined in detail during the trial.

The preservation order is considered a procedural safeguard aimed at protecting the integrity of the judicial process.

Political Significance

The Bhabanipur seat carries considerable political importance in West Bengal. The constituency has long been associated with Mamata Banerjee and has played a key role in her political career.

As the dispute unfolds, the case is likely to attract national attention due to the prominence of the leaders involved and the broader questions it raises regarding election administration and counting procedures.

Political analysts believe the proceedings could become one of the most closely watched election cases in recent years.