Today(on 2nd May),Calcutta High Court Orders West Bengal to fully aid CBI probe into mass sexual assault and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali involving TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh.
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KOLKATA: Today(on 2nd May), The Calcutta High Court has issued an order to the West Bengal government, directing them to cooperate fully with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in their ongoing probe into the allegations of mass sexual assault of women and the illegal grabbing of tribal lands in Sandeshkhali. The case revolves around Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his associates, who are accused of perpetrating these heinous acts.
The Bench, comprising Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, took cognizance of the CBI’s submission that the State government had been uncooperative in verifying more than 900 complaints received by the agency regarding the forceful acquisition of tribal lands. Chief Justice Sivagnanam, in his order, emphasized the need for the State of West Bengal to provide utmost cooperation to the CBI throughout the investigation.
The allegations in this instance are deeply concerning, suggesting that Sheikh and his accomplices not only unlawfully acquired the villagers’ lands but also perpetrated sexual assaults against women. Sheikh, who faced suspension from the TMC earlier this year, managed to avoid arrest for approximately 55 days before being apprehended by the West Bengal Police.
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On April 10, the High Court decided to hand over the investigation of the case to the CBI, recognizing how serious the accusations were and the need for a fair investigation. However, during the latest court session, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Advocate Priyanak Tibrewal informed the Court that she had received troubling phone calls from the alleged victims of sexual assault. Tibrewal disclosed that these women were being intimidated not to file cases against Sheikh or his associates
Tibrewal stated-
“Unknown people have entered their houses at night, saying they have already lost their dignity. They warn that if they report the assault, they’ll lose their lives. This fear stops women from speaking up, even to the CBI.”
Advocate Alakh Srivastava, one of the petitioners in the case, urged the Bench to constitute an all-women committee or request the CBI to assign women officers exclusively to record the statements of the victims, as was done in the Manipur violence case. This approach aims to create a conducive atmosphere and build trust among the victims, facilitating their willingness to come forward and lodge their complaints.
The Bench, however, left the decision regarding the mechanism to “build confidence” among the victims in the hands of the CBI officials. It is expected that the CBI will take appropriate measures to ensure the victims’ safety and encourage them to provide their testimonies.
The next hearing in this case is scheduled for June 14.
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Case Title:
Court on its own motion v. State of West Bengal