SC Rejects PIL Seeking SIT or CBI Probe into Sandeshkhali Case, refuses to equate it with Manipur violence

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a PIL that requested a court-monitored investigation by either the CBI or an SIT into the violence in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali village.

Justices B V Nagarathna and Augustine George Masih stated that the Calcutta High Court is already handling the issue and has taken suo motu cognizance of it. “HC is seized of the matter. This cannot be a dual forum hearing. Let us see what relief the HC grants,” noted the SC. The bench advised against having parallel proceedings and advised the petitioner to approach the High Court instead.

The court observed that the Sandeshkhali case should not be equated with the situation in Manipur. Instead, it suggested forming a committee consisting of three retired judges from different states, akin to the approach taken in Manipur, to guarantee an impartial and fair investigation into the Sandeshkhali incident.

Following the Supreme Court's decision, the petitioner Alakh Alok Srivastava opted to withdraw the plea, enabling the High Court to assume jurisdiction over the case. The Supreme Court approved this course of action.

Violent protests erupted in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali village, following allegations of sexual abuse against women by a local TMC leader and his associates. Multiple women have accused TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh, and his associates Shibu Hazra and Uttam Sardar of land grabbing and sexual assault.​