Calcutta High Court Refuses Urgent Hearing Of Plea Seeking Protection For Women Victims Of Sexual Violence In Sandeshkhali

The PIL was mentioned today before a division bench comprising Chief Justice T.S Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya.

The Chief Justice at the outset told the Advocate who mentioned the matter that another writ petition on the issue is being heard by the single today and asked the Advocate to watch that hearing. The Advocate then submitted that without giving security to the women, it is not possible to enquire or investigate the matter.  

The CJ then asked, "Who is the petitioner? Is he an Advocate, is he a social worker, is he an MLA, is he a pradhan, is he a resident of Sandeshkhali, has he gone to the place, how did he come to know? If you filed the PIL with photocopies of newspaper cuttings, then we will dismiss". 

"Not only photocopies, the report of the Governor also", the Advocate submitted.  

"No no no. That is not the basis madam. You are practicing in this High Court for quite a long time. Basic requirements of a PIL has to be satisfied. Therefore, you please redraft your petition. Please go to the Court of Hon'ble Justice Kausik Chanda, watch the proceedings. If you have any independent material, you request intervention in that proceeding. We can't do parallel proceedings", the Chief Justice said. 

The Bench, accordingly, refused to pass any order on the mentioning.  

 The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a PIL seeking transfer of investigation into the alleged large-scale violence against women in Sandeshkhali in West Bengal to the CBI or a SIT saying that the incident should not be compared to Manipur violence.

Earlier, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had taken cognizance of a distressing incident that reportedly occurred in Sandeshkhali, involving violence against a child. The NCPCR had written a letter to the District Magistrate of North 24-Parganas seeking an Action Taken Report about the incident within 48 hours.

The National Commission Women had issued a statement saying that testimonies of victims indicate widespread fear and systematic abuse (physical and sexual violence) by police officers and members of the Trinamool Congress, at Sandeshkhali.

The Calcutta High Court had taken suo moto cognizance of reported occurrences of sexual assaults against women in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas, and illicit transfer of tribal lands.