Mitali Palnitkar
Published on: March 14, 2022 at 18:36 IST
The Calcutta High Court granted Police Protection to 303 Alleged Victims of violence that took place after the declaration of West Bengal Assembly Elections results in May, 2021.
The Bench comprised Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajrashi Bharadwaj. It took on record the Affidavit filed by Petitioner Priyanka Tibrewal wherein the names and contact details of 303 alleged Victims were mentioned.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was handed over the Investigation of Cases by the Court in relation to Murder, Rape and Crimes against Women vide Order dated August 19, 2021. A Special Investigation Team was also constituted for Investigating other Crimes related to Post-poll Violence.
The Petitioner apprised the Court that Police Protection is necessary. If not given, the Victims will be constantly threatened by Local Goons and will face serious difficulties.
The Court was informed that out of 303 Alleged Victims, 47 could not go back to their workplace, the houses of 92 Victims were demolished, and 164 were forcefully Evicted from their houses due to which they could not return their residence.
The Court took Cognizance of the grievance raised and directed the Petitioner to serve a copy of Affidavit to the Advocate General, the Director General and Inspector-General of Police, West Bengal so that action could be taken.
Further, the Director-General & Inspector-General of Police was directed to ensure that the Victims are not harassed by Local Goons or Police Authorities.
The Petitioner averred that a Committee shall be set up with one-member form National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and one from West Bengal Human Rights Commission (WBHRC). Accordingly, the Petitioner was allowed to implead National Human Rights Commission as a party to the Proceedings.
The 4th Status Report filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation was taken on record by the Court. Additional Solicitor General YJ Dastoor representing CBI apprised the Court that 28 Cases which were under Investigation during the previous Hearing are still under Investigation.
Also, 32 Cases were pending for Investigation before the Special Investigation Team.
The Court directed the State Government to file a response to the Affidavit submitted by Petitioner. It listed the matter for further Hearing on April 19, 2022.
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