Sandeshkhali violence: SC stays Parliament panel action against Bengal officers
What's the story
The Supreme Court on Monday paused the Lok Sabha Privileges Committee's proceedings against top Bengal government officials, including Chief Secretary Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika and Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar.
The probe was initiated after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s MP Sukanta Majumdar alleged he faced "mistreatment" during his visit to the violence-stricken area of Sandeshkhali in West Bengal.
The court has sought a response from the Lok Sabha Secretariat within four weeks, after which it will revisit the issue.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Sandeshkhali grabbed headlines in February for protests against the Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s senior leader Sheikh Shahjahan.
Known as "betaj badshah (brazen king)," Sheikh has been accused of committing various atrocities.
Locals have been demanding the arrest of Sheikh and his aides Hazra and Sardar. They also held protests and vandalized the leaders' properties.
The situation took an ugly turn in recent days after allegations of rape of "young Hindu married women" emerged, prompting a strong reaction from the BJP, too
Arguments
Officers challenge summons, present counter evidence
Senior lawyers Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Bengal's officers, informed Chief Justice of India DY Chadrachud that Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) Section 144 was enforced in Sandeshkhali.
They denied Majumdar's allegations of police brutality and shared videos of BJP workers attacking cops.
The legal team of the officials argued that parliamentary privileges do not extend to political activities. It accused the Lok Sabha Secretariat of overreaching its authority by sending notices to officials not present at the scene.
Background
Clashes at Sandeshkhali
According to reports, Majumdar was injured in a confrontation between party members and police officers last week after being prevented from entering Sandeshkhali.
The village in North 24 Parganas district had been tense after women held protests against alleged abuses by TMC leader Sheikh and his associates.
During a dispute with the police, Majumdar also lost his balance and fell onto a car's hood while speaking to reporters in the area, reports said.
Arrests
TMC leaders among 18 arrested in Sandeshkhali case
Following the allegations by the women and the subsequent unrest, the police arrested at least 18 accused people, including TMC leaders Sardar and Hazra.
They are accused of sexually harassing women and are wanted in land grab cases, too.
Meanwhile, security was beefed up in the area on Sunday as TMC leaders were being produced in a local court.
DGP Kumar said the police would assess the security area-wise before lifting prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144.