Kolkata
In the Sandeshkhali case, the Calcutta High Court revealed that the CBI’s report mentioned numerous allegations of land grabbing and insufficient cooperation from state authorities. The court urged the state to assign more staff to aid the investigation.
The Chief Justice’s bench also included the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as a party to the case. The CBI, which is conducting the investigation, declined to reveal report details, stating that it could jeopardize the probe.
The court will closely monitor the investigation and emphasized the need for victims of sexual harassment to feel secure, indicating that a team of female CBI officers would be deployed. The court criticized local officials for not installing CCTV cameras and streetlights as ordered, warning that failure to comply within 15 days could lead to contempt of court.
The next hearing is set for June 13. Separately, the SC delayed its hearing on West Bengal’s appeal against the Calcutta HC’s order for a CBI probe into land grabbing and sexual assault in Sandeshkhali to July. This postponement came at the request of the West Bengal government’s counsel, senior advocate AM Singhvi. On April 25, the CBI registered an FIR against five individuals and others unknown, connected to land grabbing and sexual assault in Sandeshkhali.
