Sandeshkhali violence: Supreme Court stays summons by Lok Sabha privileges committee to West Bengal Chief Secretary, others

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed summons notice issued to West Bengal Chief Secretary Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika and other officers by the privileges committee of the Lok Sabha on a complaint filed by West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Sukanta Majumdar in connection with the Sandeshkhali violence..A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra issued notice to the Lok Sabha secretariat and stayed further proceedings before the privileges committee..The Court was hearing a challenge by Gopalika and West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar, to the summons issued to them on a complaint by Majumdar alleging “misconduct, brutality and life-threatening injuries" to him.This was after Majumdar was allegedly stopped from entering Sandeshkhali, where women have been agitating over alleged atrocities committed against them by Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his aides.The summons notices were also issued to the concerned District Magistrate and Assistant superintendent..Representing the West Bengal officials, Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued against the invocation of privilege in this context. Sibal contended that political activity would not constitute a breach of privilege, while Singhvi asserted that privilege was not intended for such matters..Sibal highlighted discrepancies in the complaint, pointing out that it was based on false claims. He stated that contrary to the allegations, numerous police officers including women were injured during the incident."38 police officers of West Bengal were injured. 8 were lady police officers. Video also shows that a BJP lady members pushed the complainant and that is how he got hurt. We can show the video," Sibal said..Senior Advocate Devashish Bharuka for the Lok Sabha secretariat clarified that the privileges committee's proceedings were routine and did not imply guilt."This is the first sitting of privileges committee. They are not being accused of anything. This is a regular process. Once an MP sends a notice and speaker thinks there is something to look into then," he said..However, the CJI issued notice to the Lok Sabha secretariat and stayed further proceedings before the privileges committee.