THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, July 8: The Supreme Court on Monday turned down the West Bengal government’s petition challenging the Calcutta High Court’s order for a CBI investigation into land grabbing and sexual assault allegations in Sandeshkhali.
A bench comprising justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan declined to overturn the Calcutta High Court’s order that authorized a CBI investigation. They also remarked that the West Bengal police had failed to act on the issue for months.
In defending the Calcutta High Court’s decision, the Supreme Court stated that the High Court’s order addresses all related incidents.
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The West Bengal government has approached the Supreme Court to contest the Calcutta High Court’s April 10 order directing a CBI investigation into land grabbing and sexual assault allegations in Sandeshkhali.
In its appeal to the Supreme Court, the state government claimed that the High Court’s order had undermined the morale of the entire state machinery, including the police as well.
The High Court ordered the CBI to carry out a detailed examination of both revenue records and the physical land to produce a comprehensive report on the alleged illegal conversion of agricultural land into water bodies for pisciculture, with the Court overseeing the investigation.
The Court also directed the CBI to look into allegations of land grabbing and crimes against women in Sandeshkhali, requiring a detailed report on these issues for the next hearing.
