Former Indian pacer and outgoing BJP MLA Ashok Dinda has moved the Calcutta High Court seeking clarity on the criminal cases registered against him in West Bengal. On Friday, the single bench of Justice Sougata Bhattacharya directed the State Director General of Police (DGP) to provide a detailed report by next Wednesday regarding all pending cases against the applicant within the state police’s jurisdiction.

Dinda, who has been renominated by the BJP for the Moyna assembly seat, is racing against time. Candidates are legally bound to declare their criminal antecedents in the election affidavit. With the nomination deadline set for April 6 and polling scheduled for April 23 in Moyna, Dinda alleged that the police had failed to provide him with the necessary information, forcing him to approach the judiciary.

During the proceedings, the Kolkata Police confirmed one FIR filed against Dinda at New Market Police Station in August last year, stating there are no other cases within city limits. However, the state police are yet to submit their findings. Justice Bhattacharya has now mandated DGP Siddhnath Gupta to clear the air. This legal move has sparked intense speculation in political circles just days before the crucial filing of nominations.