Sandeshkhali Violence: SC Rejects WB Govt’s Plea Challenging Calcutta HC’s Order Of CBI Probe

The Supreme Court rejected the West Bengal government's plea challenging Calcutta High Court order directing CBI investigation into allegations of land grabbing and sexual assault in Sandeshkhali.

New Delhi: In a major blow to Mamata Banerjee-led government, the Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain its plea challenging Calcutta HC’s verdict of directing a CBI investigation into the allegations crimes against women and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali. A bench headed by B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan said, “Why should the state be interested in protecting someone?” while adding that the state counsel appearing for the state said the matter be adjourned after the apex court asked this specific query.

“Thank you. Dismissed,” the bench said.

The top court was hearing the state government’s plea challenging the Calcutta High Court’s April 10 order.

While hearing the plea on April 29, the apex court asked the West Bengal government as to why the state should come in as a petitioner for “protecting the interest” of some private individuals.

In its plea before the apex court, the state government said the high court’s order demoralised the entire state machinery, including the police force.

The CBI is already investigating the case of attack on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali and has registered three FIRs related to incidents on January 5.

Noting that the investigation will be monitored by the court, the high court directed the CBI to file a comprehensive report on the alleged illegal conversion of agricultural land into water bodies for pisciculture after conducting a thorough inspection of revenue records and physical inspection of land alleged to have been converted.

The high court also directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate allegations of crimes against women and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali and submit a comprehensive report to it on the next date of hearing.

West Bengal government approached the top court challenging April 10’s order of the Calcutta High Court and saying that the HC has erroneously directed the CBI to investigate and submit a report with regard to the allegations and complaints by the residents of Sandeshkhali.

According to plea, the Calcutta HC order disregards the conclusion of investigations into 43 FIRs, all of which have culminated in charge sheets. The sidelining of the state government’s actions in favour of political voices risks bias in the investigation, the WB government said.

The state government further added that the High Court decision has cast unsubstantiated aspersions on the investigation carried out by the State Police without taking into account the correct factual matrix and the steps undertaken by the petitioner state in diligently conducting the investigation in all the FIRs forming the subject matter of the appeals.

Earlier on April 25, Following the Calcutta High Court order, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR against five people and unknown others in connection with the ongoing probe into cases concerning land grabs and crimes against women (sexual) in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal.

The Calcutta High Court had intervened, instructing the CBI to take over the investigation into several alleged offences in the Sandeshkhali region. These offences reportedly include illegal land acquisitions and instances of violence and sexual assault against women.

The CBI’s move comes amid growing concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Sandeshkhali, with allegations of rampant criminal activities and exploitation of vulnerable populations.

The FIR marks the commencement of a thorough investigation by the CBI, which aims to bring justice to the victims and ensure accountability for those responsible for the reported offences.

As the investigation progresses, authorities anticipate further developments shedding light on the complexities surrounding the issues plaguing Sandeshkhali, underscoring the importance of swift and decisive action in addressing such matters.

Earlier, the Calcutta High Court directed a court-monitored investigation by the CBI into the alleged cases of sexual assault and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali. The women of Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas district came out on the streets earlier against the ruling TMC and Shahjahan, accusing the strongman and his aides of perpetrating gross excesses and atrocities on them while also gobbling up their land. Multiple women on the island accused Shajahan and his aides of “land-grab and sexual assault” under coercion.