‘Plea on CBI probe into allegations of land grabbing adjourned until July’

The Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the state against the Calcutta High Court judgement was adjourned until July 2024 by the Supreme Court. The Bench asked the state government on why the state came as petitioner to protest a private person’s interest.

The judgement by the Division Bench of Calcutta High Court directed a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the allegations of land grabbing and sexual atrocities on women in Sandeshkhali. The matter was heard by Justice B R Gavai. The matter was adjourned on request of the senior advocate Manu Singhvi, who appeared for the state, to take up the matter after a couple of weeks.

It was further submitted that important information could not be collected to be filed. Expressing reservation about adjournment of the matter, the Supreme Court made it clear that the pendency will not be used “as a ground for any purposes.”

According to a news agency, Justice Gavai was heard saying: “Why should the state come as a petitioner for protecting the interest of some private?” The suspended member of Trinamool Congress Sheikh Shahjahan

is the prime accused in the case.

The Single Bench of Calcutta High Court had taken a suo motu cognisance of the Sandeshkhali case with regards to alleged crime against women and land grabbing incidents based on several newspaper and electronic media reports.

This along with other petitions filed with regards to the case was heard by the Division Bench. Chief Justice Sivagnanam held: “Considering the overall scenario and the complexities of the facts involved, we have no doubt in our mind to hold that an impartial enquiry is required to be done by an agency which has power to probe the criminal angle…The state has to provide the required support to the said agency to be appointed by us to enquire into the matter.”

‘Why should the state come as a petitioner for protecting the interest of some private?’