Sandeshkhali: Supreme Court Rejects West Bengal's Plea Against CBI Investigation

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea filed by the state against the Calcutta High Court's order which directed for a CBI investigation

This came after the council for West Bengal government sought a pass over in the case.

Source : PTI Images

In a major jolt to West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea filed by the state against the Calcutta High Court's order which directed for a CBI investigation into the allegations of crimes against women and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali.

"Why should the state be interested in protecting someone?" the bench asked while rejecting the petition.

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan asked the state that "why the state be interested in protecting someone." 

This came after the council for West Bengal government sought a pass over in the case.

The bench observed that in the previous hearing the state of West Bengal had sought an adjourned after the apex court asked this question.

On April 29, the top court had asked the West Bengal government as to why the state of West Bengal should come in as a petitioner for protecting the interest of some private individuals.

In its plea before the apex court, the state government said the high court's order demoralised the entire state machinery, including the police force.

The CBI is already investigating the case of attack on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali and has registered three FIRs related to incidents on January 5.

The High Court held that the investigation by the CBI will be monitored by the court and also directed the CBI to file a comprehensive report in the case.

The high court asked the CBI to investigate allegations of crimes against women and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali by Shiekh Shahjahan and his aides. It is further alleged, that there was illegal conversion of agricultural land in Sandeshkhali into water bodies for pisciculture. The CBI is investigating the same.

The National Human Right Commission (NHRC) in its spot enquiry report dated April 12 revealed glaring and shocking alleged incidents of sexual assault, rape, gang-rape, forced and unpaid labour, forced migration and land grab for fish farming by Shibu Prasad Hazra, Uttam Sardar, Amir Ali Ghazi and others who allegedly acted under the directions and patronage of Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan.

The women in Sandeshkhali and Jheliakhali told the NHRC officials that the women of the village were called at the TMC Party office by the named alleged accused persons on pretext of party meeting and meeting of Self Help Groups.