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Supreme Court: Notice to Centre on Plea filed by West Bengal

Alka Verma-

Published On: September 29, 2021 at 10:25 IST

The Supreme Court of India issued a notice to Central Government as well as other respondents regarding a Plea filed by West Bengal Government.

The Plea filed by West Bengal Government challenges the Calcutta High Court order which allowed CBI investigation in the State.

The CBI investigation will be regarding the murders and crimes which happened against the women in the State during post-poll violence.

A Bench comprising Justices Vineet Saran and Aniruddha Bose asked for the response of Centre along with other respondents.

However, the Court also refused the State’s request, which asked the Court to pass an Order and restrict the CBI from registering any new cases.

The Court in response also said that as per the principle of natural justice no such order be passed without hearing the other side.

The Court also disagreed with Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who in his submissions stated that the future of CBI investigation in the State will depend upon the Orders passed by Apex Court regarding the Plea of State Government.

“That is always there, we do not need to say this. Moreover, we are posting it after one week and nothing will happen,” stated the Bench.

“We think you (Sibal) have made out the case for issuance of the notices. Let the other side come and file the response. We will hear out the case one day before the vacation,” added the Bench.

The case is all about the Order of Calcutta High Court which allowed the CBI investigation in the State regarding the murder and crimes against women in the State which happened during post-poll violence in West Bengal.

All cases as per report of NHRC committee where allegations are about murder of person or crime against women regarding rape or attempt to rape shall be referred to CBI for investigation,” ordered the High Court.

The High Court in its order also mentioned that all the other cases related to post poll violence will be investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and both investigations will be monitored by the High Court.

The High Court passed the Order after checking a report by a Seven-Member Committee of the National Human Rights Commission which was formed to investigate all the complaints of post poll violence.

For now, the Apex Court has scheduled the next hearing on October, 7.

Also Read: Ex Calcutta HC Chief Justice to look over SIT probe in WB Post-Poll Violence