The girls of Sandeshkhali have claimed land seize and sexual assault by Sheikh Shahjahan (File).
Kolkata:
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee‘s authorities acquired a stern reprimand from the state’s High Court Thursday because it heard affidavits searching for probes into the allegations of extortion, land seize, and sexual assault which have surfaced from Sandeshkhali forward of the Lok Sabha election.
A bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam instructed Ms Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress – which got here beneath heavy hearth after it was seen as shielding Sheikh Shahjahan, a neighborhood chief who’s the first accused – it couldn’t shirk accountability within the occasion the allegations are discovered to be true.
“Even if one affidavit is correct, it is shameful. Even if one per cent is true it is absolutely shameful. West Bengal says it is safest for women? Even if one affidavit is proven to be right all of this falls,” he mentioned, “Entire district administration and ruling party have 100 per cent moral responsibility”.
The courtroom additionally ripped into the lawyer representing Sheikh Shahjahan, who was arrested on February 29 after spending almost two months evading the authorities. The delayed arrest triggered criticism of the Bengal authorities and prompted the High Court to concern a pointed order to the state.
READ | Arrest Trinamool Strongman Sheikh Shahjahan, Fumes High Court
“(55) days you were on the run… playing hide-and-seek. Then you took an obscure stance. (Just because) you close your eyes the world doesn’t become dark,” the Chief Justice mentioned.
Shahjahan’s lawyer responded: “I was told to be absconding (while) bail plea was pending.”
The courtroom finally reserved its verdict on this matter.
READ | Sandeshkhali Accused Shahjahan, On The Run For 55 Days, Arrested
In earlier hearings the courtroom held Bengal Police to be “totally biased” and referred to as for a “fair, honest, and complete investigation” into allegations in opposition to Sheikh Shahjahan. “There can be no better case than this… which requires to be transferred (and) to be investigated by the CBI,” it noticed.
In focus at the moment have been petitions searching for intervention in some type or the opposite – both by way of a court-appointed fee or by way of the National Human Rights Commission – to permit the ladies of Sandeshkhali to make their complaints with out concern of repercussion. BJP chief Priyanka Tibrewal, arguing for the petitioners, underlined the problem many face in submitting these complaints.
“I have gone there… it is burdensome for them to come to Kolkata. I have suggested for a website to make it easier for them,” she mentioned in response to the courtroom saying, “The suggestion is to have a commission where people can approach and voice grievances. Other is for NHRC to intervene.”
“Both commission and website can be done. I went alone… I have seen that the rule of law is broken. (This is) not a political opinion. Land was also grabbed. It was a violation of human rights,” she mentioned.
Ms Tibrewal additionally mentioned she had acquired complaints from scores of ladies, however was refraining from naming them over considerations of reprisal. “There was a lady who went to visit her father… she was taken in daylight and raped by (Sheikh) Shahjahan and other workers,” she claimed.
Ms Tibrewal’s robust arguments prompted the courtroom’s sharp comment about “moral responsibility”.
The case in opposition to Sheikh Shahjahan is at present with the Central Bureau of Investigation, or CBI.
READ | Setback For Bengal, Probe Against Shahjahan Stays With CBI
In a separate growth, the Enforcement Directorate has mentioned it has provisionally hooked up movable and immovable belongings worthRs12.78 crore in reference to the Sheikh Shahjahan case.
The Sandeshkhali concern has turn into the point of interest of assault of the Trinamool. The opposition has accused Ms Banerjee of protecting Sheikh Shahjahan. The Trinamool hit again by pointing to ex-wrestling physique chief Brij Bhushan Singh, a sitting BJP MP accused of sexual assault by girls wrestlers.
The BJP has additionally moved to subject one of many girls who’ve alleged sexual assault by Shahjahan – Rekha Patra – as a candidate from the Basirhat seat, which incorporates the island of Sandeshkhali.
READ | “Blessed Us, Like Lord Ram”: Sandeshkhali Candidate Praises PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Ms Patra on the phone final month and labelled her “Shakti Swaroopa“. “He has blessed us… like Lord Ram, like God…,” she declared to NDTV.
The total Sandeshkhali case erupted on January 5, after an ED workforce on its approach to conduct a raid was attacked by a mob of the now-suspended Trinamool chief’s supporters. Sheikh Shahjahan went on the run instantly after the assault, which left a number of probe company officers injured.
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