The Calcutta High Court, in a significant development on February 19, declined to prioritise a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) for an urgent hearing regarding the protection of women residing in the Sandeshkhali area amidst allegations of sexual violence involving individuals linked to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam, presiding over a division bench, sought clarification on the petitioner’s credentials, inquiring whether they held an elected position such as MLA or panchayat pradhan or if they were residents of Sandeshkhali. Emphasising the necessity of meeting the essential criteria for a PIL, the Chief Justice highlighted that mere attachment of newspaper reports would not suffice.
Despite the petitioner’s lawyer’s plea for an expedited hearing on the PIL aimed at safeguarding women villagers in Sandeshkhali, the division bench, which also included Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya, conveyed its inability to accelerate the petition. The bench cited the scheduling of another matter concerning Sandeshkhali before a separate bench as a reason for their decision, advising the lawyer to observe the proceedings in Justice Kaushik Chanda’s court, where a related petition was listed, and to seek intervention if independent evidence existed.
Sandeshkhali, a community development block in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, has been embroiled in protests following allegations of sexual misconduct by local TMC leaders and land grabbing from villagers. The protests erupted on February 8, with hundreds of women demonstrating against land grabbing, wage non-payment, and sexual violence attributed to Trinamool Congress figures Sheikh Shahjahan, Shiba Prasad Hazra, and Uttam Sardar. In response, the TMC leadership suspended Uttam Sardar from the party for six years, with subsequent arrests made, including that of TMC leader Shibu Prasad Hazra, on charges of land grabbing and sexual exploitation.
The situation escalated as agitated villagers attacked illicitly obtained properties, leading to arrests and confrontations between TMC affiliates and protesters. Amidst allegations of police inaction and harassment, authorities imposed Section 144 and internet bans in various areas of Sandeshkhali. Despite these measures, tensions persist, with the primary accused, Sheikh Shahjahan, evading arrest.
The incident underscores the complex socio-political dynamics and the challenges faced in addressing allegations of violence and malpractice within the Sandeshkhali community, highlighting the need for swift and effective legal intervention to ensure the safety and rights of its residents.
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