New Delhi: The Supreme Court rebuked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for filing a petition to transfer post-poll violence cases from West Bengal to another state.
The court ordered the investigating agency to withdraw the petition, expressing strong disapproval of the claims made, which suggested that a hostile environment existed in all West Bengal courts.
Justice Abhay S Oka, addressing Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, remarked, “Mr Raju, what kind of grounds are taken in this? That all courts in West Bengal have (a) hostile environment? Blanket averment that courts are illegally granting bail? This is casting aspersions that the entire judiciary is under (a) hostile environment.”
Following the bench’s sharp critique, ASG Raju opted to withdraw the transfer request. The bench, comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih, was particularly concerned about the ‘scandalous’ accusations made against the West Bengal judiciary.
“Scandalous allegations have been made against all the courts in general in West Bengal. Repeatedly averred that there is hostile environment prevailing in the courts. It is very unfortunate that Central Agency has chosen to cast aspersions on courts in West Bengal,” the Supreme Court said in the order.
Although Raju admitted that the petition contained “loose drafting” and offered to amend it, the bench insisted on its withdrawal.
“Learned ASG states that there was no intention to cast aspersions. However, the averment is to the contrary. He seeks permission to withdraw. We make it clear that all objections to the proposed transfer are expressly kept open,” the bench said.
