- By Aditya Jha
- Fri, 20 Sep 2024 03:09 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Supreme Court on Friday came down heavily on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for its petition seeking the transfer of pleas of post-poll violence in West Bengal to some other state. The top court questioned the intentions of the agency and questioned CBI's approach towards the judiciary in Bengal. "How can you question the entire judiciary system of West Bengal? It is very unfortunate that a central agency like the CBI has cast aspersion against the judiciary," the top court said.
The court also warned the agency of contempt proceedings against the lawyer who drafted the petition. Justice S. Oka said, "This case is a fit for a contempt notice against the drafter." Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the CBI, accepted that this petition was "loosely drafted," which led to the withdrawal of the court's notice of contempt.
SV Raju assured that a fresh petition will be filed. While filing the petition, CBI pointed out that witnesses' are being tortured by 'influential' people in the political ecosystem. However, the language of the petition provoked the top court.
Earlier, the Calcutta High Court directed the CBI, with support from a special police team, to investigate the cases related to post-poll violence in West Bengal. The High Court scolded state police for not filing cases when presented with possible major crimes, such as rape or murder. The court also pointed out that in many of the cases, police worked with a "predetermined mindset to take a case in a particular direction.".
The BJP, the major opposition party in West Bengal, welcomed the judgment, calling it "historic." TMC, led by Mamata Banerjee, retained power in West Bengal in the 2021 assembly polls. However, the BJP emerged as the major opposition party. There were several cases of heinous crime in West Bengal during the elections, which continued even after the results were declared.