Sandeshkhali unrest: Absolutely shameful even if allegations are 1% true, says Calcutta High Court

Even if one affidavit of women from Sandeshkhali alleging sexual violence perpetrated by suspended Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh is proved true, it would be shameful, said the Calcutta High Court while hearing petitions in the case on Thursday, reported Live Law.

A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya was hearing public interest litigations seeking an independent investigation into the allegations of sexual assault and land-grabbing against Sheikh.

The bench reserved its verdict on the pleas.

One of the petitions was filed by advocate Priyanka Tibrewal, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Tiberwal demanded that the investigation in the case to be transferred to a court-monitored commission, which would receive complaints from the residents of Sandeshkhali and compile them for the court.

She claimed in the court that she had visited Sandeshkhali with her colleagues and received complaints from multiple women who were afraid to approach the police due to fears of repercussions.

Placing before the court affidavits of women who were allegedly affected by violence, Tiberwal said that several government officials, including police officers and land officials, were involved in the failure of law and order in the region.

“If they prove a single affidavit is wrong, I will quit my practice forever,” she said.

Justice Sivagnanam then said...

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