BJP Attacks TMC Govt After High Court Fixes Timeline For Indo-Bangladesh Border Fencing Land Handover

Last Updated:January 28, 2026, 23:53 IST

The Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal government to hand over acquired land along the Indo-Bangladesh border in nine districts to the BSF for fencing.

The Bench expressed concern over the State's reliance on the DPP, noting that the policy was designed for stalled infrastructure projects and not for matters of national defence. (File image)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday hit out at the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government after the Calcutta High Court directed the state government to hand over land for fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border within a fixed timeline, saying that the ruling has exposed TMC’S attempts to shift blame to the Centre on the issue of infiltration.

BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya said that the Trinamool government’s attempts to delay border fencing had “hit a judicial wall". He said the High Court had issued clear directions to the State to stop delaying tactics and hand over land required for fencing to the Border Security Force (BSF), stressing that political obstruction could not override national security concerns.

“Mamata Banerjee’s bid to stall Indo-Bangla border fencing hits a judicial wall. The court has now stepped in, directing the West Bengal government to stop delaying tactics and hand over land required for border fencing to the BSF," he said in a post on X.

The BJP leader further emphasised that the court has categorically directed the state to hand over, by March 31, 2026, land that has already been acquired or purchased and for which compensation has been accepted. He added that the court has also ordered the State to expedite the process across nine border districts and submit an Action Taken Report in cases where acquisition is still underway.

“Political obstruction cannot override national security imperatives. With firm judicial deadlines in place, the Mamata Banerjee government can no longer sit on land meant for securing India’s international border. Court orders. Clear timelines. No more excuses," he added.

Former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb also slammed the the Mamata Banerjee government and said that delays in fencing had indirectly encouraged illegal infiltration, smuggling and trafficking along the border. He said the High Court’s order had exposed attempts to shift blame to the Centre on the issue of infiltration.

What Calcutta HC Said?

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed the State government to hand over acquired land along the Indo-Bangladesh border in nine districts to the BSF for fencing. The directions were issued by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen while hearing a public interest litigation filed by a former Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Livelaw reported.

The petitioner highlighted that nearly 26 per cent of the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal remains unfenced despite repeated Cabinet approvals since 2016, allegedly facilitating infiltration, narcotics trafficking, cattle and gold smuggling, and circulation of fake currency.

After hearing all parties, the court divided the issue into three categories- land already acquired and paid for, land where acquisition or purchase is ongoing, and land where no process has begun. While setting a firm March 31, 2026 deadline for the first two categories, the court said the issue of fresh acquisition and the applicability of emergency provisions under the 2013 Land Acquisition Act would be examined separately.

The matter is scheduled to be listed again in April 2026.

News politics BJP Attacks TMC Govt After High Court Fixes Timeline For Indo-Bangladesh Border Fencing Land Handover

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