Hummingbird News Desk
KOLKATA, 12 APRIL: The Calcutta High Court, on Tuesday, ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Hanshkhali rape and death of a minor case.
In its detailed order, the HC noted that in order to have a ‘fair investigation’ and instill confidence in the family of the victim, the case was being handed over to the CBI. The state investigating agency has been asked to hand over all papers relating to the investigation, as well as the custody of the accused to the central agency. The matter has been listed for 2 May.
“In the circumstances of the case and after considering the above legal position, we are of the opinion that in order to have a fair investigation in the matter and to instill confidence in the family members of the victim and also the residents of the locality and the State, the investigation should be carried out by the CBI instead of the local police,” the HC said in its detailed order.
Two public interest petitions, which highlighted the alleged gang rape and death of a 14-year-old minor girl belonging to scheduled caste category, were filed before the court.
A division bench presided over by Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava had reserved its order on the plea earlier today. Petitioner’s lawyer Anindya Sundar Das had prayed for a CBI probe, stating that the accused is the son of a panchayat leader belonging to the ruling Trinamul Congress (TMC). A case diary has been submitted by the police in the matter before the division bench, also comprising Justice R Bharadwaj.
As alleged, the girl was invited to a birthday party of the son of a local Trinamul Congress panchayat leader. The youth with four-five friends allegedly gang raped the minor girl.
The girl later died due to excessive bleeding. The family members were allegedly prevented from taking her to any hospital for treatment. It has been alleged that the family was threatened, and police initially refused to register a report. With an NGO’s intervention, the report was registered after five days.
This incident adds up to the list of unfortunate developments that have taken place in the state in the last few weeks.
Notably, chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s victim-blaming comments drew the ire of political parties and locals as she questioned the victim: “Was she raped? Was she pregnant or had a love affair?”
Tags: #CalcuttaHighCourt #CBI #HanshkhaliRapeCase