The Calcutta High Court on Thursday set a firm deadline of March 31 for the West Bengal government to hand over acquired land for erecting fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen, emphasized that national security obligations cannot be delayed due to administrative or electoral considerations.

The court’s directive follows a petition filed by retired army officer Subrata Saha, who alleged that the state had failed to provide land for fencing, contributing to smuggling and cross-border infiltration. The division bench ordered that land already acquired in nine districts be transferred to the Border Security Force (BSF) without delay so that barbed wire fencing can be completed along the border.

Noting that West Bengal shares nearly half of India’s border with Bangladesh, the court highlighted that significant stretches remain unfenced despite multiple Cabinet decisions since 2016. The counsel for the Union Home Ministry stressed that the state is constitutionally obligated to hand over the land to the BSF once compensation has been paid and approvals granted. The court also asked both the state and central governments to file affidavits regarding emergency land acquisition if required for security reasons. The matter will next be heard on April 2.

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Political reactions followed swiftly. BJP leader and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar called the court order a “slap on the face” for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government, while Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi described it as a “clear and unambiguous signal” of administrative inaction and frustration within the state government. Both highlighted the delay as a failure in fulfilling security responsibilities.

The Trinamool Congress, however, directed criticism at the BSF, with senior leader Kunal Ghosh accusing the force of not fully fencing the plots already handed over. He described the political back-and-forth as “jugglery,” stressing that the Bengal government has acted in accordance with court and central directives. The March 31 deadline now sets a definitive timeline to complete land transfers and strengthen border security ahead of further administrative review.

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