Calcutta High Court Constitutes SIT To Probe Sandeshkhali Gang Rape Case, Flags Delay In Investigation

The Calcutta High Court has constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe allegations of gang rape in West Bengal's Sandeskhali allegedly involving politically influential persons.

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh formed an SIT comprising Rahul Mishra, IPS and SDPO, Baduria, Basirhat Police District, along with Bireswar Chatterjee, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Homicide Section, Detective Department, Lalbazar.

While perusing the case diary on 27.01.2025, the Court had expressed its dissatisfaction with the probe when the Advocate General submitted that he would produce the list of officers who would conduct and supervise the investigation of the present case.

At the present hearing, a list of officers had been handed over by the Advocate General. However, considering the location of the place of occurrence, the court directed formation of an SIT comprising the aforesaid members.

"Already there has been delay in the case," the Court noted.

Accordingly, it directed that the records of the case be transferred to the SIT and a progress report be submitted by the said SIT in a month to the ACJM, Basirhat.

The present investigation team will put in efforts as there has already been delay, collect materials if required send the samples collected or samples required to be collected to the forensic experts and apply their mind so that effectively the investigation of the case can be taken to its logical conclusion, the Court held.

Case: XYZ versus The State of West Bengal & Ors. 

Case No: W.P.A. 560 of 2025

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