Kolkata, March 24 Arjuna award-winning heptathlete Swapna Barman, whom the TMC has nominated as its candidate for the West Bengal assembly elections, sought the direction of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday for the railway authorities to accept her resignation from service so that she can contest the polls.
Her lawyer, before Justice Gaurang Kanth at the Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench, stated that her employer, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), had initiated disciplinary proceedings against her for attending a press conference of the ruling party, which offered her membership, on February 27.
The international athlete had attended the press conference of the ruling TMC in Kolkata and was later named as the party's candidate from the Rajganj assembly constituency in Jalpaiguri district.
Her counsel stated that Barman had tendered her resignation to NFR on March 16, but it is yet to be accepted, following which she was compelled to move the court seeking direction for time-bound disposal of her resignation.
The NFR's lawyer stated before the court that if Barman "accepts her fault, seeks termination," and expresses her willingness to forgo her pensionary rights and other benefits accruing from service for allegedly joining a political party, her request for resignation and issuance of a no-objection certificate will be considered immediately.
Deputy Solicitor General Sudipto Mazumder, representing NFR, further submitted that if such a request is made by the petitioner by 5 pm on Tuesday, the competent authority will communicate its decision by March 27.
Justice Kanth, after hearing both parties, directed that the matter be posted for further hearing on March 27.
Barman, a welfare inspector posted at Alipurduar, moved the high court seeking acceptance of her resignation letter dated March 16 and conclusion of disciplinary proceedings initiated against her by the NFR.
Her lawyer Jishnu Chowdhury submitted that she is willing to face stringent penalties, including curtailment of her future retirement benefits and termination from service, the court noted in its order.
He further stated that since Barman intends to contest the forthcoming assembly elections, acceptance of her resignation is crucial to her future prospects.
Chowdhury prayed that the NFR authority consider her resignation within a time-bound manner, thereby enabling her to contest the elections.