Calcutta High Court transfers Sandeshkhali violence probe to CBI, Bengal govt moves top court
Sandeshkhali village
The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday (Mar 5) ordered the transfer of the investigation into an attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials at Sandeshkhali in West Bengal on January 5 from the state police to India's premier probe agency - Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The Calcutta HC also asked for the custody of the accused Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shajahan Sheikh to be handed over to the central agency. He was arrested by the West Bengal police on February 29 in connection with the attack.
In response to the order, the West Bengal government moved the Supreme Courtwith senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi mentioning the plea before India's top court butits appeal for immediate hearing was turned down. SC asked him to mention it before the registrar general of the top court.
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A day after the high court ordered the arrest of Sheikh, the TMC leader was arrested. He is also the prime accused in alleged sexual atrocities on women and land grabbing at Sandeshkhali.
The High Court bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanamtransferred the case to the central agency.
The HC's order came after both ED and the West Bengal government moved separate appeals challenging a single bench order.
On January 17, it was ordered to form a joint special investigation team (SIT) of the CBI and the state police to probe the mob attack on the ED officials.
West Bengal wanted the investigation to be given to the state police only, but the ED asked the probe to be transferred to the CBI.
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NCW submits report on Sandeshkhali to President
Rekha Sharma, who is the National Commission for Women chairperson, met President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday and submitted a report on the Sandeshkhali violence, the India-based news agency PTI reported citing sources. The commission recommended President's Rule in West Bengal over the Sandeshkhali violence.
To assess the situation on the ground and analyse the actions taken by local authorities against alleged violence and intimidation against women, an NCW team recently visited West Bengal's Sandeshkhali.
A fact-finding report was also prepared by the commission which said that it has gathered disturbing testimonies of women alleging widespread fear and systematic abuse by both police officers and members of the ruling Trinamool Congress.
(With inputs from agencies)