West Bengal: Hearing today on demand to transfer Sandeshkhali case outside Bengal, demand for investigation by CBI-SIT
West Bengal: The Supreme Court will hear on Monday a PIL regarding the investigation into the case of alleged sexual assault on women living in Sandeshkhali village. On the petition filed by advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava, Justice B.V. The bench comprising Justice Nagarathna and Justice Augustine George Masih will hear the matter. In the petition, a demand has also been made to investigate by the CBI or SIT of the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court will hear on Monday a PIL demanding an investigation into the case of alleged sexual assault on women living in Sandeshkhali village and subsequent transfer of the trial outside Bengal.
The petition filed by Alakh Alok Srivastava, an advocate, will be heard by Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Augustine George Masih on the bench. The investigation to be carried out by the CBI or the Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Supreme Court's supervision is another demand included in the petition.
He called the incident "extremely disturbing" in the petition and expressed concern that the case should be transferred outside of Bengal for the sake of justice because it cannot be independently and impartially investigated and heard there.
He has also requested in the petition that a committee be established, similar to the one that was established in the Manipur case, with three retired High Court judges serving as its chairman. He has also demanded compensation for victims of sexual assault.
All India Bar Association has written a letter to Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Regarding this, Association Chairman Dr Adish Aggarwal said, 'We are saddened to hear about the horrific ordeal of the victims of Sandeshkhali and have demanded immediate action in the matter. We have also warned the Chief Minister to ensure that the state does not turn into Jungle Raj, otherwise, we will have to demand the President's rule.
