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The High Court of West Bengal delivered a stern rebuke to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government on Thursday amidst affidavits seeking investigations into allegations of extortion, land seizure, and sexual assault, which emerged from Sandeshkhali prior to the Lok Sabha election.
A bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam admonished Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, cautioning that it cannot evade responsibility if the accusations prove true. The Chief Justice emphasized that a single affidavit being accurate then it's shameful, questioning the assertion of West Bengal being safe for women.
The court also criticized the lawyer representing Sheikh Shahjahan, a local leader arrested on February 29 after evading authorities for nearly two months. The delayed arrest sparked criticism of the Bengal government, prompting the High Court to issue a direct order to the state.
'100% responsibility lies with ruling party': Court raps #Bengal over #Sandeshkhali
— The Contrarian 🇮🇳 (@Contrarian_View) April 4, 2024
Calcutta High Court on Thursday continued hearing several pleas filed on the violence in Bengal's Sandeshkhali. During the hearing, the court slammed ruling Trinamool Congress govt in the state pic.twitter.com/Cpyyct1dyX
The Chief Justice chastised Shahjahan's lawyer for the prolonged evasion, stating, "Just because you close your eyes, the world doesn't become dark." The court reserved its verdict on this matter.
Earlier hearings saw the court denounce the Bengal Police for bias and demand an impartial investigation into the allegations against Sheikh Shahjahan. The court suggested transferring the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough probe.
Today's focus was on petitions seeking intervention to enable women in Sandeshkhali to report complaints without fear of reprisal. BJP leader Priyanka Tibrewal advocated for a commission or National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) involvement to facilitate complaint registration.
Tibrewal highlighted the challenges women face in filing complaints and suggested the establishment of a website for easier reporting. She underscored instances of alleged rape and land grabbing, indicating a violation of human rights.
The court acknowledged Tibrewal's arguments, expressing concern over the breach of moral responsibility. The case against Sheikh Shahjahan currently rests with the CBI.
In a separate development, the Enforcement Directorate provisionally attached assets worth Rs12.78 crore in connection with the Sheikh Shahjahan case.
The Sandeshkhali issue has become a focal point of political contention, with the opposition accusing Banerjee of shielding Shahjahan. In response, the Trinamool pointed to BJP's Brij Bhushan Singh, accused of sexual assault.
The BJP nominated Rekha Patra, an alleged victim of Shahjahan's assault, as a candidate from the Basirhat seat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Patra's courage, likening her to a divine entity.
The Sandeshkhali case surfaced on January 5, after an ED team was attacked by Shahjahan's supporters. Shahjahan fled after the assault, triggering a heated political debate.
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