Sandeshkhali: SC Stays Parliament Panel’s Summons To Top Bengal Officers Issued On BJP’s Complaint

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the proceedings in summon issued by the Privileges committee of the Lok Sabha to West Bengal chief secretary and other officers on a complaint filed by BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar alleging “misconduct, brutality and life-threatening injuries to him”.

The West Bengal Government on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking urgent hearing in against the Parliament Privilege Committee’s notice summoning the West Bengal chief secretary and other officers on a complaint filed by BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar alleging “misconduct, brutality and life-threatening injuries to him”. The BJP leader was visiting Sandeshkhali village in West Bengal as reports surfaced about the incidents of alleged  

The matter was mentioned in front of a bench headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud.

The court issued notice returnable in four weeks and passed interim order staying the notice by Lok Sabha panel.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for the Chief Secretary Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika, Director General of Police told the court that Political activity can never be a breach of privilege.

Counsel appearing for the Lok Sabha secretariat told the court that this will be the first sitting of the Privileges committee and part of regular process. The officers are not being accused of anything. 

However, the top court stayed the notice issued by the Lok Sabha committee to the West Bengal officers.

The committee had asked Chief Secretary Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika, Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, North 24 Parganas District Magistrate Sharad Kumar Dwivedi, Basirhat Superintendent Hossain Mehdi Rehman and Additional Superintendent Partha Ghosh to appear before it on February 19 (today)

The BJP leader was reportedly injured as party workers clashed with police personnel after being stopped from entering Sandeshkhali, where women have been agitating over alleged atrocities committed against them by Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh and his aides.