CBI registers first FIR in Sandeshkhali land grab, 'sexual assault' case
Times of India | 26 April 2024
NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed first case in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, concerning allegations of land grabbing and sexual assault against five influential individuals, as stated by officials on Thursday.
The case revolves around a land dispute in which women from victim's family were allegedly subjected to sexual assault by influential people in region.
The CBI has not yet revealed identities of five accused or victims involved in case.
On April 10, the Calcutta high court mandated a court-supervised CBI investigation into allegations of crimes against women and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, emphasizing necessity for an "impartial inquiry" to ensure justice and fair play.
The CBI had distributed an email address for individuals to submit complaints in such cases, resulting in a substantial number of complaints being received.
The agency had sent a team to Sandeshkhali to verify allegations and proceed with registration of cases where allegations could be initially substantiated.
Following a preliminary verification during a field visit to area, CBI has registered first FIR based on allegations of land grabbing and assault on women that were referred to it by Calcutta high court.
The high court had also instructed CBI to submit a comprehensive report on alleged illegal conversion of agricultural land into water bodies for pisciculture after conducting a thorough examination of revenue records and a physical inspection of land alleged to have been converted.
The central agency has been assigned task of investigating allegations of crimes against women and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali and submitting a comprehensive report to the court at next hearing date on May 2.