Supreme Court Pauses Lok Sabha Action Against West Bengal Officials In Sandeshkhali Protest Case

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the proceedings of the Lok Sabha Privilege committee against several officials of West Bengal, including the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and three others in connection with an incident related to Sandeshkhali violence.

The committee had initiated proceedings based on a complaint filed by BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar, who alleged mistreatment during the protests in the Sandeshkhali region on February 13 and 14.

Despite not listing the matter for today, the apex court took up the issue at 10.30 am as an urgent mention was made by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi. They mentioned that officials had been asked to appear before the Lok Sabha Privileges Committee at 10:30 am today.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud-headed bench passed an interim order while serving notice on the writ petition filed by Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika IAS (Chief Secretary of WB), Sharad Kumar Dwivedi IAS (District Magistrate, North 24 Parganas District), Rajeev Kumar IPS (WB DGP), Dr. Hossain Mehedi Rehman IPS (Superintendent of Police, Basirhat, North 24 Parganas District), and Partha Ghosh (Additional SP, Basirhat, North 24 Parganas District).

The advocates informed the court that the complaint by the BJP leader of police atrocities is false and the videos reveal that the BJP workers attacked the cops. They claimed that there was a curfew under Section 144 CrPC was in place in the Sandeshkhali region, and the BJP leaders violated it.

The petitioners argue that Parliamentary Privileges should not cover political activities, and they claim that the Lok Sabha Secretariat overstepped its authority by issuing notices to officials who were not present at the venue, such as the Chief Secretary, DGP, and District Magistrate.

Senior Advocate Devasish Bharukha, representing the Lok Sabha Secretariat, clarified to the bench that the officials were not summoned as "accused" but rather to establish facts. The counsel also stated that the Speaker had referred Dr Majumdar's complaint to the Privileges Committee following standard procedure.

The bench, issuing a notice returnable within 4 weeks on the writ petition, halted further proceedings related to the notices issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat against the State Officials.

Sandeshkhali has been witnessing a state of unease as numerous women in the region have come forward to accuse Shajahan Sheikh, a powerful TMC leader, and his followers of sexually assaulting women and landing grabbing.