Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal approached the Supreme Court on Friday with a fresh application seeking immediate intervention regarding the Tripura municipal elections.

Despite the orders of the Supreme Court to provide the media unhindered access to the whole election process at all polling booths in Tripura, Sibal said newspapers and TV channels have said they have been violated. The Supreme Court had ordered deployment of 2 CAPF companies to protect election booths. Sibal said many media representatives were not even allowed to enter polling booths. Nor were CRPF or CAPF personnel were deployed.

Sibal said, “There is complete mayhem! Please take this up in the afternoon today! What has transpired is horrendous! We have the photographs of people showing that the SC order was not followed! It is very serious that is why I am mentioning! Results are to be declared! If today is not possible, please take it up tomorrow though it is a Saturday.”

Even as Sibal approached the Apex Court against violations of Court directives, the Trinamool Congress also sought a stay on the counting of votes cast in the elections held on Thursday since a large number of voters were not allowed to cast their ballots. The party said the directions of the Supreme Court to hold free and fair municipal elections were violated and suggested the setting up of a court-monitored to investigate the charges.

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Yesterday, the Supreme Court bench led by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud had directed to ensure security at polling booths with additional CAPF. The bench which also comprised Justice Surya Kant and Justice Vikram Nath had also directed the DGP and the Secretary of Home Department of Tripura to review the security arrangements and to request additional CRPF battalions if needed.

Previously, the bench had refused to postpone the local body elections in a plea by Trinamool Congress. The Trinamool and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) had alleged that the members of the ruling BJP had unleashed violence on them and their workers to disrupt the local body elections and the police and administration had colluded with them.

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to deploy two additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) for the security of polling booths and the smooth conduct of voting in the municipal elections being held in Tripura today.

The bench of Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Surya Kant has directed the filing of the compliance report in the court in a petition seeking to be a party to the hearing in the contempt petition filed in the Supreme Court regarding the violence during the civic elections underway in Tripura. In the intervention petition on behalf of the the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), the party sought directions to Tripura Chief Secretary and DGP to ensure candidates, workers, and allies of the CPIM are protected from the ruling party leaders in the elections and vote freely.

Apart from this, instructions have also been given to the DGP to ensure the safety of the candidates of CPIM. Taking cognizance of the incidents happening during this time, action should be taken by registering a case.

The bench has asked the DGP to ensure that there is no violence after the elections; the same has been urged in the petition filed.

Seeking intervention in the petition filed by the Trinamool Congress, the CPIM has said the members of the opposition party are being intimidated by the members of the ruling BJP in the elections. The Trinamool also submitted, “Voting is taking place and violence is taking place there. Videos have also come to me just now.”

Justice Chandrachud asked, “How many polling booths are there?”

Gopal Sankarnarayanan said, “There are 770 polling stations.”

Justice Chandrachud said, “There is a need for security now, so we will issue directions, 2 companies of CAPF to be sent.”

“Will ask the Centre to make arrangements for it,” Justice Chandrachud added further.

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Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for the Tripura government, said,

“If any incident is happening, then you can go there for it. Why don’t you go there? Anyway, it’s about the election. State Election Commission should settle this.”

“There is a matter of security here. The court can intervene in this,” said Justice Surya Kant on Jethmalani’s contentions.

The Supreme Court also directed the SEC, DGP and Home Secretary to ensure all security arrangements including security of polling places, polling booths.

Justice Chandrachud said, “Will ensure the security of all polling booths through CAPF.”

In the absence of CCTV, instructions should be given to the SEC, DGP and Home Secretary with immediate effect to ensure complete reporting of voting to the print and electronic media. However, the matter will be heard next week. Still, if there is an emergency, the court can be approached, the bench said.