Sandeshkhali Row: Calcutta High Court Orders CBI Probe In Land Grab, Sexual Assault Allegations Against Local TMC Leaders

The Calcutta High Court ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into extortion, land grab, and sexual assault allegations against local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali.

The arguments were heard by the the division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya last week and the verdict was reserved, which was pronounced on Wednesday (10 April).

The CBI probe will be monitored by the court, which observed, "Considering the complexity of matters in Sandeshkhali, there is no doubt an impartial investigation should be done."

Over the allegations of central investigative agencies not getting state's support, the court noted last week, "We are of the opinion the state has to give proper support to (whichever) agency is (placed) in charge."

The Chief Justice had said, "Even if [the affidavit] 1 per cent is true, it is absolutely shameful. And West Bengal says it is safest for women? If one affidavit is proved to be right all of this falls."

The controversy began on 5 January when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, who went to raid the now-expelled TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh in ration distribution scam, were attacked.

Sheikh was on run since then and was arrested only on 29 February after the Calcutta HC said that other than West Bengal Police, CBI and ED can also arrest the accused. His custody was then transferred to CBI.

While Shiekh was on the run, women of Sandeshkhali, a village in North 24 Paragnas districts, came out on streets protesting against atrocities of local TMC leaders and alleging sexual assault and land grabs by them.

The issue found support from BJP and the party even fielded one of the Sandeshkhali victims Rekha Patra, as a Lok Sabha candidate from Basirhat. President's Rule was also recommended by Woman and SC Commissions.