Calcutta HC modifies single bench order removing restrictions on motorcycle riding on poll day, prohibits group bike riding, rallies

In a significant ruling ahead of second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, the Calcutta High Court on Monday modified a single bench order removing all restrictions imposed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure free and fair polls.

The ECI had challenged the single bench order before a division bench consisting of Justices Shampa Sarkar and Ajay Kumar Gupta.

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Hearing the plea, the bench held that the earlier order required modification in the larger interest of free and fair elections.

“No motorbike rally or biking in groups shall be allowed during polling day – 2 onwards,” the modified order read.

With this, bike rallies and coordinated group bike riding will remain prohibited across 142 Assembly constituencies from two days prior to the second round of polling.

However, the remaining part of the single bench’s order shall remain unchanged and relaxations granted to individual riders, family pillion travel, office-goers and delivery personnel with valid identification would continue.