Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha filed a plea in the Supreme Court demanding a court-monitored SIT probe into the Murshidabad violence. He also seeks the West Bengal government’s response on law and order failure and urgent steps to prevent further unrest.
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NEW DELHI: In a big legal development, Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha has approached the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, asking for strong action regarding the recent violent incidents that happened in Murshidabad, West Bengal.
He has filed a petition seeking a proper and fair investigation into the matter. According to him, the situation in the area is very serious, and steps must be taken quickly to protect the lives of people and maintain peace.
Another plea was filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari seeking the constitution of a five-member judicial enquiry commission headed by a former apex court judge to investigate the violence in the state.
One of the pleas has requested the Supreme Court to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the violence. But he wants this SIT to work under the watch of the Supreme Court itself, so that the investigation remains neutral and transparent.
He believes that this kind of court-monitored probe will help in finding the real reasons and people behind the violence.
His plea clearly asks for a “Court-monitored SIT probe.“
Apart from that, the advocate also wants the Supreme Court to make the West Bengal government answerable. He has asked the Court to seek a proper reply from the state government regarding the law and order failure that led to the violence.
He has said that it is important to know why such a situation was allowed to happen and what the state authorities were doing during that time.
His petition calls for the “WB govt’s reply on law & order failure.“
In addition to these demands, Advocate Jha is also urging the Court to order steps that will help protect the lives of common citizens and stop any further violence from taking place. He is worried that if proper actions are not taken now, then the situation might become even worse in the coming days.
That is why he is asking the Court to guide the state government to take strict measures.
His petition includes a clear request for “Steps to protect lives, prevent more violence.“
This move by Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha shows growing concern about the law and order situation in West Bengal.
The Supreme Court is expected to take up this matter soon. The country is watching closely to see what action the top court of the land will take to ensure justice and peace in the affected region.
EARLIER IN CALCUTTA HIGH COURT
KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court took strong action after three people lost their lives during violent protests in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. The court said it cannot just sit quietly while public safety is in danger. So, it ordered that Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) must be sent to Murshidabad to help bring peace and protect people.
Violent protests broke out recently in many districts like Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly. The protestors were angry about a new law related to Waqf properties. During the violence, many police vans and other vehicles were set on fire. Stones were thrown at police and roads were blocked, creating chaos in many places.
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The Calcutta High Court clearly stated that every person in India has the right to life and the state government must protect the lives and properties of all citizens.
In strong words, the court said:
“Constitutional Courts cannot be a mute spectator and embroil itself in technical defences when the safety and security of the people are at danger. The deployment of Central Armed forces earlier could have escalated the situation as it appears adequate measures have not been taken in time.”
The court called the situation in Bengal “serious and unstable,” and said that the police and other authorities must act quickly and strictly to stop the violence and punish those who hurt innocent people. The court stressed this must be done urgently, saying action must be taken on a “war footing.”
The judges also said:
“We cannot turn a blind eye to the various reports that have surfaced which prima facie show vandalism in few districts of the state of West Bengal. The purpose of deployment of the para-military forces or Central Armed Police Force is only for the purpose of facilitating the state administration to ensure the safety and security of the population in this State.”
They added that it cannot be denied that “there is an internal disturbance” in some districts of West Bengal.
The High Court has directed that the Central forces will work together with the state government and not separately. Both the Centre and the state government have been told to submit detailed reports about the current situation in the affected areas.
This decision was made by a special bench of Justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chowdhury.
This special bench was quickly formed by the Chief Justice to hear an urgent petition filed by Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly.
He had asked the court to send central forces to Murshidabad to handle the situation.
The next hearing in this matter is fixed for April 17.
Later, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose supported the High Court’s order and said it was the right step. In a video message from Raj Bhavan, the Governor said:
“I have been told about the deployment of CAPF in the riot-affected areas of Bengal, including Murshidabad. I am glad that the Calcutta High Court stepped in and given the appropriate decision in appropriate time.”
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made it clear that her government will not implement the Waqf (Amendment) Act in the state.
She also asked the people to stay peaceful and not fall into the trap of violence.
“We have made our position clear on this matter – we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about?”
-she said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The Chief Minister also warned people not to use religion for political purposes and said strong legal steps will be taken against anyone who tries to spread violence.
“Remember, we did not make the law that many are agitating against. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government,”
-she added.
West Bengal’s Director General of Police, Rajeev Kumar, also gave a strong message to those taking part in the protests. He said that the police will not allow anyone to break law and order in the name of protesting.
CASE TITLE:
Suvendu Adhikari v State of West Bengal
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