In a significant legal turn, the West Bengal State Police found themselves in an embarrassing position before the Calcutta High Court when they were unable to specify the exact number of pending criminal cases against the Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari. Presiding over the matter, Justice Jay Sengupta expressed strong dissatisfaction over the lack of transparency and data maintenance by the state administration.

During the proceedings, the court demanded a comprehensive list of all First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against the BJP leader across various districts. However, the state’s legal representatives failed to produce a concrete number, leading to a sharp rebuke from the bench. Adhikari’s counsel argued that the state is continuously filing “phantom cases” as a tool of political vendetta, ensuring that the legal tally remains ever-changing and elusive.

Consequently, the High Court has ordered the state government to file a detailed affidavit within two weeks, listing every single case currently active against Suvendu Adhikari. The court further emphasized that the protective shield previously granted in specific cases remains in effect. No coercive action can be taken until the next hearing, providing temporary relief to the leader. This development has sparked a fresh debate over the potential misuse of administrative machinery for political gains in the state.