Supreme Court to Review Petition Urging SIT Probe into Sandeshkhali Sting Operation

A petition has been submitted urging a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the credibility of a sting operation conducted concerning the alleged sexual exploitation of women in Sandeshkhali. The Supreme Court has agreed to review the petition soon, which was filed on behalf of a woman. The petition highlights concerns regarding the legitimacy of the sting operation video, alleging that it depicted an individual claiming the rape accusations against TMC leader Shahjahan Shaikh as fabricated. Furthermore, it suggests that individuals in Sandeshkhali were coerced by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari to tarnish the reputation of TMC leaders, with women purportedly forced to sign blank papers to lodge false rape complaints.

Previously, the West Bengal government’s petition regarding the Sandeshkhali case had drawn scrutiny from the Supreme Court. Questions were raised as to why the state government appeared as a petitioner, seemingly to safeguard the interests of specific individuals. Notably, the Calcutta High Court had directed the CBI to investigate allegations of crimes against women and land encroachment in Sandeshkhali on April 10. In response, the West Bengal government petitioned the Supreme Court against the High Court’s directive.

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It’s worth mentioning that previous petitions seeking SIT or CBI probes into the Sandeshkhali case were dismissed, with the court advising petitioners to approach the High Court. One such petition, filed by lawyer Alakh Alok Srivastava, met a similar fate.