Bengal Post-Poll Violence: Calcutta HC To Hear Matter Of NHRC Report On July 28

Representing West Bengal state govt, Abhishek Manu Singhvi alleged multiple inconsistencies in the NHRC report, calling it "politically motivated".

File Photo: ANI

Kolkata: Calcutta High Court on Thursday heard the case of Post Poll violence case in West Bengal.

Additional Solicitor General YJ Dastur submitted the post mortem report of the deceased BJP worker Avijit Sarkar which was conducted at Command Hospital after his brother claimed the body couldn’t be identified as maggots and ants had fed on it.

DVD of the autopsy of the deceased BJP member Abhijit Sarkar was submitted to Court on a sealed cover.

Although all parts of the NHRC report were given to other plaintiffs, including the state, the part that contained details of rape incidents and allegations was not given to anyone.

The NHRC's statement said the details of rape victims were confidential and therefore not given. The commission said it will follow the court's directive.

"Many of those who complained before the NHRC are still being intimidated by police and ruling party activists," NHRC's lawyer claimed in court. "Victims were threatened by the police to withdraw the complaints. How can we depend on the State to give justice to rape victims?" the counsel argued.

The state has asked for extra time to reply stating that the report is 3500-page long. The court expressed reluctance to give time over this argument.

"Is it your job to investigate the allegations, or to respond to the NHRC's report?" Justice Subrata Talukder questioned.

"Situations like the Gujarat riots need to be investigated immediately with an impartial body. Why would they investigate the police who are threatening the victims?" Mahesh Jethmalani said.

"There are multiple inconsistencies in the report, including references to pre-poll events. This is not desirable for a neutral body like the NHRC. It is a politically motivated report," Abhishek Manu Singhvi contended on behalf of the state.

The High court said that anyone wishing to file an affidavit, including the state, must do so by July 26, with the next hearing on July 28.