Sandeshkhali Violence: SC Agrees To List PIL Seeking Transfer Of Probe Outside West Bengal

The Supreme Court agreed to list the PIL filed in the top court seeking transfer of investigation into the alleged sexual assault of women living in Sandeshkhali, to the CBI or SIT outside West Bengal

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to list the PIL filed in the top court seeking transfer of investigation into the alleged sexual assault of women living in Sandeshkhali, to the CBI or to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) outside the state of West bengal. However, the CJI DY Chandrachud told the petitioner the court cannot be pressurised for urgent listing.

Advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava filed a PIL in the top court seeking the transfer of trial outside the state, preferably to Delhi, as the ruling party was involved. Srivastava mentioned the plea today before the three judge bench comprising the CJI, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra and sought an urgent listing in court. 

Srivastava mentioned before the bench "I have sent an email today. This is about women being raped in Bengal."

To this the CJI said that "if you would have mailed yesterday, I would have seen it." 

However, Srivastava pressed the court saying "this is urgent"

On this the CJI said, "you cannot pressurise me..I will list it. Let me see it in the afternoon."

The PIL filed by Srivastava has sought a direction for setting up an enquiry committee of three retired High Court judges like it was done for the Manipur violence case to ensure other relief to the victim women. It has also pressed for free and fair investigation by CBI/ SIT under the supervision of the top court.

The PIL has also sought compensation for victims and disciplinary action against "erring policemen."

Women in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali have been protesting for more than one week over alleged incidents of atrocities committed against them by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shajahan Sheikh and his aides. It has been alleged that women were sexually assaulted in Sandeshkhali at gun points. It has also been alleged that tribal people were forcefully made to transfer their lands by the TMC leader.

On Tuesday, the Calcutta High Court took suo motu cognisance over the alleged incidents of sexual assaults of women in Sandeshkhali at gun points and transfer of lands of tribal people in violation of relevant laws. A single-judge bench of Justice Apurba Sinha Ray expressed gross disappointment over the alleged incidents of violence against women in Sandeshkhali and issued notice to the West Bengal government.

The high court also issued notices to the Inspector General of Police, DIG of Police (Barasat Range), Superintendent of Police & District Magistrate of North 24 Parganas.