Sandeshkhali: Calcutta High Court refuses urgent hearing on claims that women are being forced to withdraw rape cases

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday refused to grant an urgent hearing to Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Advocate Priyanka Tibrewal, who claimed that women in Sandeshkhali were being forced to withdraw the rape cases filed against Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers.

A Bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya asked Tibrewal to approach the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is investigating the allegations in the case.

"Madam, we aren't the investigating agency. The matter is being probed by the CBI so please go and report your issues with the CBI not with us, sorry," the Chief Justice said.

Tibrewal mentioned the Sandeshkhali matter before the Bench, seeking an urgent hearing of the case. She said, 

"Women aren't sleeping in their homes during night. They are hiding in the fields. They are scared. Policemen enter their homes during night and force them to withdraw the cases. Yesterday itself, a rape victim's hands were tied and she was thrown in the pond."

The contention was opposed by the counsel representing the State government. He said that the problems in the area were being created by Tibrewal, whenever she visited the area.

The case involves allegations that lands of residents in Sandeshkhali were forcefully grabbed by TMC strongman Shahjahan Sheikh, who was suspended by the party earlier this year. Sheikh and his aides were also accused of sexually assaulting women in the village.

He was eventually arrested by the West Bengal Police after being on the run for around 55 days.

In an order passed on April 10, the High Court had transferred the probe in the case to the CBI.

Recently, the alleged victims of sexual assault had revealed that they were forced to file complaints against TMC workers by BJP leaders.