Calcutta High Court directs CBI probe in Hanskhali rape, death case

Probe must to instill confidence in parents and citizens, says court

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the rape and death of a 14-year-old student at Hanskhali in Nadia district. The division bench of Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj said a probe by the central agency is necessary to have fair investigation in the matter and to instill confidence in the family of the victim.

“In the circumstances of the case and after considering the above legal position, we are of the opinion that in order to have 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 Division Bench said in its order.

The division bench heard a petition earlier in the day demanding a CBI probe in the case but reserved its order. The Court directed the State Investigating Agency to hand over the investigation to the CBI with immediate effect.

“The State Investigating Agency will hand over all the papers relating to the investigation along with the custody of the accused persons to the CBI forthwith. The CBI will furnish a report about the progress of investigation before this Court on the next date of hearing. The concerned authorities are also directed to extend full protection to the family members of the victim and witnesses of the case,” the Division Bench pointed out.

The matter will come up for hearing on May 2.

The alleged crime occurred on April 4 and the girl died the following day. The matter came to light on April 10 when the police arrested the son of a local Trinamool Congress leader in connection with the crime. On Monday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s comments raising questions on the veracity of the allegation and the victim created a flutter in political circles.

“Criminal Investigation in shameful rape #Hanskhali leading to victim death is tainted & compromised when people in authority & constitutional position indicate judgmental stance. This against the law approach scuttles fair & independent probe as police is forced to toe such line,” Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Twitter in an oblique reference to the Chief Minister’s remarks.