‘Why is the government interested in this?’ TMC gets setback from Supreme Court in Sandeshkhali case, CBI investigation to continue

The Mamata Banerjee government of West Bengal has suffered a major setback from the Supreme Court. The apex court has dismissed the state’s petition challenging the order of the Kolkata High Court. The High Court had ordered a CBI investigation into all cases related to sexual exploitation of women, land grabbing, and ration scams in Sandeshkhali. The state government had challenged this order of the High Court in the Supreme Court, but the court dismissed the state’s petition. During the hearing, the bench of Justice B. R. Gavai and Justice K. V. Viswanathan questioned the state government on why they are so interested in this case and whom they are trying to protect.

The High Court order clearly stated that a CBI investigation is necessary in serious cases such as sexual exploitation of women, land grabbing, and ration scams in Sandeshkhali. The state government had argued that the High Court’s order had demoralized the police force and the entire state apparatus. This decision of the Supreme Court has given a major blow to the West Bengal government, as it has made it clear that the High Court’s order has been upheld and now these cases will be investigated by the CBI.

The state government had argued that local police and other state agencies are capable of investigating these cases, but the Supreme Court rejected this argument. The court stated that in such serious and sensitive matters, an impartial investigation is necessary, which can only be ensured by a central agency like the CBI. This entire incident has increased political tension in the state. The opposition has welcomed this decision and questioned the Mamata Banerjee government on whom they were trying to protect. On the other hand, the Mamata Banerjee government has said that they were only trying to maintain the morale of the state’s administrative machinery and had no intention of protecting anyone.

The message of this decision is that in the eyes of the judiciary, an impartial investigation is paramount and if central agencies need to be involved to ensure this, there is nothing wrong with it. The state government should learn a lesson from this decision and take appropriate steps in the future to avoid such situations.