Kolkata:

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government came under a sharp rebuke from the state’s high court on Thursday as it heard demands for extortion, land grabbing and sexual assault charges against Sandesh Khali ahead of the Lok Sabha elections Affidavit for Conduct of Investigation.

A bench headed by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam told Ms Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress – which has been slammed for being seen as shielding main accused Sheikh Shahjahan – that it cannot escape responsibility if the charges are uncovered . It is true.

“Even if an affidavit is correct, it is shameful. Even if one percent is true, it is absolutely shameful. West Bengal says this is the safest for women? Even if an affidavit is true, it is absolutely shameful.” Proved right, all these will go down,” he said. “The entire district government and the ruling party bear 100 percent moral responsibility.”

The court also harshly criticized the lawyers representing Sheikh Shahjahan, who was arrested on February 29 after evading authorities for nearly two months. The delay in arrests sparked criticism of the Bengal government and prompted the high court to issue a clear order to the state.

Read | Arrest of Trinamool strongman Sheikh Shahjahan, Fumes High Court

“For (55) days you were on the run… playing hide and seek. Then you took a cryptic position. (Just because) you closed your eyes, the world did not go dark,” the chief justice said.

Shahjahan’s lawyer responded: “Pending bail petition, I was told to abscond.”

The court ultimately reserved judgment on the matter.

Read | Sandeshkhali accused Shahjahan arrested after 55 days on the run

At an earlier hearing, the court found Bangladeshi police to be “totally biased” and called for a “fair, honest and thorough investigation” into the allegations against Sheikh Shah Jahan. “There can be no better case… which needs to be handed over (and) investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI),” the report stated.

The focus today is on a petition seeking some form of intervention – whether through a court-appointed committee or the National Human Rights Commission – to allow the women of Sandeshkari to file their complaints without fear of repercussions. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Priyanka Tibrewal defended the petitioners, highlighting the difficulties many face in raising these complaints.

“I have been there… It is a burden for them to come to Kolkata. I suggested setting up a website to make it easier for them,” she said while responding to the court. “The suggestion was to set up a committee where people can Approach and express dissatisfaction. The rest is for the National Human Rights Commission to intervene.”

“Both commissions and websites can be done. I went alone… and I saw the rule of law being destroyed. (This) is not a political point. Land was also taken. It was a violation of human rights,” she said.

Ms. Tibroval also said she had received complaints from dozens of women, but she was not naming them for fear of retaliation. “There was a woman who went to visit her father…she was taken away and raped by (Sheikh) Shah Jahan and other workers during the day,” she claimed.

Ms Tibroval’s strong arguments prompted the court to make pointed comments about “moral responsibility”.

The case against Sheikh Shahjahan is currently pending with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Read | Bangladesh suffers setback, probe against Shah Jahan still ongoing in CBI

In another development, the Enforcement Directorate said it has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 12.78 million in connection with the Sheikh Shah Jahan case.

The Sandesh Khali issue has become the focus of Trinamool’s attack. The opposition accused Ms Banerjee of shielding Sheikh Shah Jahan. The Trinamool hit back, pointing out that former wrestling body president Brij Bhushan Singh, a sitting BJP MP, has been accused of sexually assaulting female wrestlers.

The BJP has also fielded Rekha Patra, a woman allegedly sexually assaulted by Shah Jahan, as its candidate from Basirhat constituency, which includes Sandeshkari island.

Read | ‘Bless us, like Lord Ram’: Sandesh Khali candidate praises PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Ms Patra on the phone last month and called her “Shakti Swarupa“He has blessed us… like Lord Ram, like God…” she declared to New Delhi TV.

The entire Sandeshkhali case broke out on January 5 when an ED team was attacked by a mob of supporters of the now-suspended Trinamool leader while conducting a raid. Sheikh Shah Jahan fled immediately after the attack, leaving several investigating agency officials injured.

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