calcutta-hc-revokes-section-144-takes-suo-motu-cognisance-of-sexual-assault-on-women-in-sandeshkhali

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday set aside the promulgation of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC at Sandeshkhali, which has been witnessing protests over the last one week.

 

A petition was filed by two residents of Sandeshkhali seeking a direction from the court for lifting the prohibitory orders in the area.

 

Justice Jay Sengupta set aside the promulgation of Section 144 of CrPC by the district administration at Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas, holding that the manner in which it was done was not right.

 

Petitioner’s counsel Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya claimed that the foundation of promulgation of the prohibitory orders in Sandeshkhali was not there and that it was done to curtail the rights of people to protest.

 

The state opposed the prayer claiming that it has also to be seen whether there was sufficient ground for such protests and also that violence was allegedly perpetrated from some such agitations.

 

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday also took suo motu cognisance of allegations of sexual assault on women “at gunpoint” and transfer of tribal land at Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.

 

Justice Apurba Sinha Roy directed the registrar general of the high court to issue notice to the state, senior police and administrative officials in this regard.

The judge said he was pained and “very disturbed” over media reports on alleged sexual harassment of women at Sandeshkhali, and taking away of tribal land in violation of legal formalities and laws.

 

The court directed that notice be issued to the state, the inspector general of police, DIG of Barasat range, superintendent of police and district magistrate of North 24 Parganas district.

 

The matter will come up for hearing on February 20.

 

Justice Sinha Roy appointed advocate Jayanta Narayan Chatterjee as the amicus curiae to assist the high court in the matter.

 

Public prosecutor Debasish Roy, representing the state, was present before the court.

 

Sandeshkhali grabbed headlines when some Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials were attacked by a mob when they went to search the premises of Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh on January 5.