West Bengal and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari faced police intervention on Tuesday when attempting to visit Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas district. The area had witnessed protests over allegations of sexual abuse and land grab by a local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and his supporters.
On Monday, the Calcutta High Court had allowed a plea by BJP MP and Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari to visit the affected area in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, from where there have recently been reports of alleged violence and assault on women.
Hearing a plea challenging the order by a single judge bench of the court, the Calcutta HC Chief Justice refused to order a stay on the order of the single judge that allowed Suvendu to visit the area.
“The LoP and MLA were allowed to visit Sandeshkhaki by the single bench, with the imposition of certain conditions which appear to be stringent. We cannot stay the single bench’s order since it is a reasoned and discretionary order. The AG submits that the 144 CrPC order is restricted but it has also been set aside by another coordinate bench. Thus the SDO could not have ignored the single bench’s order and imposed another 144 CrPC order,” the court said, while directing the state to comply with the directions and provide adequate security personnel for Suevenu’s visit to Sandeshkali.
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Adhikari, stopped for the third time by the police from visiting the area, said, “The police have violated the Calcutta High Court order allowing me to visit Sandeshkhali. The police are saying that Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed, and the state government has moved the division bench challenging the Calcutta High Court order. I will protest here and then move the court,” he told PTI.
Similarly, Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat also faced police prevention from entering Sandeshkhali, with the police citing reasons such as her presence potentially leading to a breach of peace. She was halted at the Dhamakhali ferry ghat on her way to Sandeshkhali, where protests over sexual atrocities on women and land grabbing by some local TMC leaders were ongoing.
Recent restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC, prohibiting the assembly of four or more people in an area, were imposed in six areas of Sandeshkhali, located approximately 75 km from Kolkata. These are the same orders that were struck down by the HC through an order of the sigle judge.
The situation in Sandeshkhali has triggered a war of words between the governing TMC and the BJP, with the BJP alleging atrocities against women, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accusing the BJP of inciting trouble in the area.
Despite the Calcutta High Court granting permission for Adhikari to visit Sandeshkhali, the situation remained tense, prompting the imposition of Section 144 restrictions. The High Court directed Adhikari not to make provocative speeches or create any law and order issues during his visit.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma called for the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the imposition of President’s Rule following unrest in Sandeshkhali. This drew a rebuttal from the ruling TMC, accusing the panel of echoing the BJP’s agenda.
The Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea seeking a CBI or SIT probe into the alleged sexual assault, noting that the Calcutta High Court had already taken cognizance of the matter. The petitioner withdrew the plea, with the court granting liberty to approach the Calcutta HC.
Shajahan has been absconding after a mob, allegedly affiliated with him, attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who had gone to search his premises in connection with a ration scam on January 5.