WB Post Poll Violence: Calcutta HC Allows Impleadment Of NHRC, WBHRC To Consider Constitution Of 2 Member Committee To Address Complaints Of Alleged Victims

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday allowed the impleadment of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the State Human Rights Commission in order to constitute a two-member Committee to address the grievances of alleged victims of violence that had taken place post the declaration of the West Bengal assembly elections in May 2021. 

The Court vide order dated August 19, 2021 had handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) the investigation of cases related to murder, rape and crime against women whereas a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been constituted to investigate other criminal cases related to post-poll violence.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajrashi Bharadwaj on the last date of hearing had taken on record a detailed affidavit filed by advocate Priyanka Tibrewal, petitioner appearing in person, wherein the names and contact details of 303 alleged victims of post-poll violence had been enumerated.

She had further prayed before the Bench to constitute a committee of two Members, one from the NHRC and the State Human Rights Commission so that further affidavits and complaints can be placed before them and the real position can be ascertained by the constituted Committee.

On Thursday, the Court allowed the petitioner to implead both the NHRC and the State Human Rights Commission in the instant proceedings.

Accordingly, the petitioner was directed to implead the NHRC and the State Human Rights Commission within 2 days. 

Furthermore, during the proceedings the Chief Justice indicated that the Court would constitute the said Committee after the appearance of representatives of the NHRC and the State Human Rights Commission on the next date of hearing. 

"Let NHRC be here..after that we will constitute it", the Chief Justice remarked addressing the prayer of the petitioner. 

Thus, the Court listed the matter for further hearing on April 4 for the limited purpose of ensuring the appearance of the NHRC and the State Human Rights Commission. 

Case Title: Anindya Sundar Das v. Union of India and other connected matters