Mamata Banerjee attacks judiciary, ready to go to jail

Kolkata, Aug 14:

Chief Minister

hurled stunning accusations against the judiciary system persisting in the country. The

supremo on Tuesday, Aug 14 claimed that some times "court verdicts are purchased".

Attacking the system, Ms Banerjee said, "At times favourable verdicts are given in return for money. These days, judgements are purchased. There is corruption among a section of the judiciary."

"I know there can be a defamation suit against me for saying this. But this must be said and I am ready to go to jail for saying so," added the West Bengal CM.

Her statement surfaced following the shocking revelation by the West Bengal Human Rights Commission (WBHRC). The commission found Kolkata police guilty of harassing Ambikesh Mahapatra and his neighbour Subrata Sengupta. Ambika is a professor currently working with Jadavpur University.

The CM's statement also surfaced just days after the arrest of a farmer who was sent to jail and was denied bail as he asked few questions to the chief minister at a public gathering.

Siladitya Chowdhury, who was dubbed a Maoist by Ms Banerjee, had told the chief minister at her public meeting at the former Maoist stronghold of Belpahari on Aug 8 that farmers were dying and asked her what steps her government was taking since "empty promises were not enough".

The chief minister had expressed surprise and dubbed the man a Maoist while asking the police to arrest him. Police had detained Chowdhury, a resident of Noawa village under Binpur police station, but let him go after questioning.

He was rearrested on Aug 10 night from his home and produced in court the next day and remanded in 14 days judicial custody.

He was charged under sections 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant in discharge of duty), 333 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servant in discharging public duty), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging duty), 447 (criminal trespass) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC. The incident has drawn flak for Banerjee.

OneIndia News