SC demands all documents on Birbhum gang rape from Bengal

New Delhi, Feb 14 (IANS) The Supreme Court Friday directed the West Bengal government to place before it the FIR, witness statements, case dairy and the final forensic report in the Birbhum gang rape case.

Chief Justice P. Sathasivam sought these documents after perusing a report by the West Bengal chief secretary on the gang rape of a 19-year-old girl of Labpur village in the state's Birbhum district.

"Our feeling is that they have taken some steps, but some more effective steps are needed to be taken," said the chief justice, while impleading the state government in the matter.

The court directed the next hearing on the matter March 4.

The apex court Jan 24 took suo motu cognizance of the gang rape, describing it as "very disturbing". The court issued a notice to the West Bengal government and sought a report from the district judge within a week.

It is alleged that the victim was raped by a dozen men on the orders of the village head as punishment for falling in love with a man from a different community.

IANS