The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to hand over land across nine border districts to the Border Security Force (BSF) by 31 March this year for the installation of barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
Emphasising the importance of India’s national security, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen ruled that land already acquired and funded by the Centre must be transferred immediately, reported Indian portal Akashvani News.
The court stated that procedural excuses, such as those citing Special Intensive Revision, will not be entertained.
The order was issued following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by retired army officer Dr Subrata Saha. Dr Saha alleged that negligence on the part of the state government regarding land transfers has facilitated illegal smuggling and infiltration.
While the state government has provided assurances to the court that 181 kilometres of land would be handed over by the March deadline, the bench remains focused on the remaining stretches that are currently awaiting state cabinet approval.
The court has also requested both the centre and the state to submit affidavits regarding whether border land can be acquired on an emergency basis, given the significant security implications. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on 2 April 2026.
