"Highly shameful even if only 1 per cent of Sandeshkhali allegations are true" - Calcutta High Court

Kolkata: In a resounding condemnation of the allegations of sexual assault and other crimes in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, the Calcutta High Court remarked, "If at least one per cent (of the allegations) is true, it is highly shameful." Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam emphasized, "The entire district administration and the ruling dispensation have to owe moral responsibility, 100 per cent responsibility."

The court's stern stance came during a suo motu motion hearing on the alleged incidents, prompted by petitioner-lawyer Priyanka Tibrewal's submission of around 100 affidavits from purported victims. Tibrewal stated, "It happens when general people cannot take atrocities anymore."

Echoing Tibrewal's sentiments, petitioner-lawyer Alakh Alok Srivastava advocated for the transfer of probe to the CBI, asserting, "It is a fit case for transfer to CBI when there are allegations of bias against the local police by the alleged victims."

As the court deliberates on the matter, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on Sandeshkhali, where the pursuit of justice intersects with broader questions of governance and accountability.