Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district had been at the centre of protests in February after local residents went on rampage accusing local Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his aides of sexual harassment and land grab, and demanding their arrest.

The TMC strongman was arrested on February 29 after being on the run for around two months. He was at large since January 5 after his alleged supporters attacked Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali. The team had gone to Sandeshkhali to raid his residence in connection with the ration distribution ‘scam’.

Advocate Priyanka Tibrewal, who was representing the group of women, claimed that the women had wanted to file their complaints earlier but were not allowed by the local police.

Taking the allegations into consideration, Justice Sivagnanam ordered that the complaints could be filed through an application or affidavit in the court.

The bench said that as it would be difficult to bring 80 women to the court, they could file their affidavit through Tibrewal.

The court also directed that the women’s grievances must be verified and their identities must be clear. If the women share their grievances in their native language, a translated copy should be provided to the court. The court also granted permission to provide security to these women.

Tibrewal said, “These women had wanted to file a complaint but police did not allow them. I mentioned that before the Honourable High Court. The Chief Justice allowed them to file an application before the court.”