The Calcutta High Court made significant observations on Thursday regarding the unsettling events in Sandeshkhali, situated in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, emphasizing that if the reported incidents concerning women in the area are verified, they stand in stark contrast to the state's official stance on women's safety. These remarks arose during the court's review of a suo motu public interest litigation concerning the wave of violence and harassment targeting women in Sandeshkhali, which had sent shockwaves throughout the state in recent times.
Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, comprising the division bench, highlighted the discrepancy between the National Crime Records Bureau's assessment, rating West Bengal's women's safety as high, and the firsthand accounts presented by the counsel representing the women victims from Sandeshkhali. Chief Justice Sivagnanam expressed deep concern, stating that if any of the numerous allegations were proven true, it would be a matter of great shame for the authorities.
During the proceedings, Priyanka Tibrewal, representing the women victims and also a BJP leader, passionately argued that the core issue stemmed from illegal land grabbing in Sandeshkhali, implicating even the local police in the matter. She stressed the emotional distress of the victims who approached her with their grievances, pointing out the urgency for them to attain justice.
In response, Advocate General Kishore Datta, representing the state government, raised doubts about Tibrewal's role, questioning whether she was advocating solely as legal counsel or also as a political figure. He cautioned against allowing the public interest litigation to devolve into a political arena, urging the court to focus on the legal merits of the case.
Following deliberations from both sides, the division bench reserved its judgment, signaling the gravity and complexity of the situation in Sandeshkhali and the imperative need for a thorough and impartial resolution.
Read also | India Stands Firm Against China's Renaming Efforts in Arunachal Pradesh
Read also | Successful Flight Test Marks Milestone for Agni-Prime Ballistic Missile
