- (1.) Leave granted. We have heard the learned Counsel for the parties including Mr. Anil B. Diwan, learned senior Counsel for the State Election Commission.
(2.) Writ Petition No. 6063/W/15 was filed as pubic interest litigation in the High Court of Calcutta. In that writ petition the Petitioners had primarily challenged the vires Section 8 of the West Bengal State Commission Act, 1994 and Section 36(3) of the West Bengal Municipal Elections Act, 1994.
(3.) The Writ Petition has been decided by the High Court vide judgment dated 16.4.2015. Insofar as challenge to the vires of the aforesaid provisions is concerned, the same has been repelled and the writ petition dismissed to that extent. However, at the same time, taking note of the fact that elections to seven Urban Local Bodies have not been held so far though term of few is already completed and of rest of them is about to be over, the Court has given the direction to the State Election Commission to forthwith initiate steps for holding elections to the said seven urban local bodies. It is coupled with further direction that entire election process be completed within two months from the date of the order, in accordance with the procedure contemplated under the relevant statute.;