KOLKATA: EC ‘erred’ in issuing a blanket direction by treating citizens as ‘troublemakers’, Calcutta HC observed on Wednesday, granting an interim stay on an order naming 800 people ‘troublemakers’ till June 30.“The general power of superintendence and control of EC under Article 324 is subject to other law,” the HC said, reiterating a Supreme Court order.The division bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen clarified that the stay would not stop police from proceeding against anyone who committed an offence under the BNS or Representation of the People Act.A PIL was filed before the CJ’s bench challenging the April 21 police observer order, which stated, “It has been observed that persons, whose names are mentioned in the… list, are actively involved in intimidating voters and creating disturbances in the electoral process.” Many among the 800 are elected representatives.
