HC orders West Bengal to hand over border land to BSF by March 31

The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to hand over land already acquired in nine border districts to the Border Security Force (BSF) by March 31, 2026 , to complete barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border .

The court noted that West Bengal accounts for more than half of India’s border with Bangladesh, yet large stretches remain unfenced despite multiple Cabinet decisions since 2016. The bench emphasized that national security cannot be delayed due to administrative or electoral processes, and land already acquired and funded by the Centre must be handed over without further delay.

The order came while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by retired Army officer Subrata Saha, who argued that delays in land transfer had contributed to smuggling and cross-border infiltration .

Officials explained that the BSF cannot fence the land on its own , as land acquisition falls under the state’s jurisdiction . Even after compensation is paid to landowners, the state must legally transfer possession.

Delays in West Bengal have been attributed to bureaucratic hurdles, cabinet approvals, and political considerations, including ongoing electoral preparations. With over 2,000 km of border to manage, acquiring land for fencing involves hundreds of plots and approvals, making the process complex and time-consuming.

The court has clarified that administrative delays or electoral exercises cannot justify holding back land , and has asked both the state and Centre to explore if land can be acquired on an emergency basis in view of security concerns.

The matter will be reviewed again on April 2, 2026 , to monitor progress.