NEW DELHI: The All India Bar Association (AIBA) has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cautioning about demands for imposition of President’s Rule in the state after reports of sexual assault and violence emerged from Sandeshkhali, in the North 24 Parganas district of the state.
AIBA Chairman and Sr. Adv. Dr. Adish Aggarwala has also condemned the incident and the approach of the West Bengal Police and authorities for its laid back approach.
"We are pained to hear about the horrifc testimonies of the victims of Sandeshkhali and have demanded swift action in the matter. We have also cautioned the Chief Minister that she shall ensure that the State doesn't turn into "Jungle Raj" else we will have to demand for President's Rule," said Dr. Aggarwala, who is also the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
The letter written to the Chief Minister of West Bengal by the AIBA condemned the incident.
"The reports of atrocities with the women in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali has left the nation in shock and immense grief. The testimonies of the victims as recorded by statutory bodies like the National Commission for Women have revealed horrors that the women have faced in forms of sexual assault and violence," the letter read.
"We feel immense pain and grief about the women and want that justice is served to them. You, being the Chief Minister of the State shall look into the matter immediately and shall ensure that those involved in these heinous acts shall be put to face the law," the letter added.
Women in Sandeshkhali village, North Parganas area have come forward, alleging that Sheikh Shahjahan, a local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader along with his supporters, engaged in land-grabbing and sexually assaulted them under duress.
Recently, officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) were also attacked reportedly at his behest, during a raid on his premises in connection with an ongoing investigation.
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