New Delhi, Oct 28 The CBI on Wednesday withdrew from the Supreme Court around 20 petitions filed by it seeking transfer of cases related to the 2021 post-poll violence in West Bengal outside the state, citing “changed circumstances”.
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) request to withdraw.
“We are seeking to withdraw owing to changed circumstances,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench.
The CBI had filed the petitions in 2023, when Mamata Banerjee was the chief minister of West Bengal, seeking transfer of the trials due to alleged concerns of witness intimidation, threats to prosecution lawyers and an atmosphere unconducive to fair trials in the state.
The Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government was ousted from power by the BJP in state polls earlier this year.
The West Bengal CID has now initiated fresh action in connection with complaints related to the 2021 post-poll violence, with 458 new inquiries started and 181 fresh FIRs registered so far.
The state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has also reopened 59 cases in which final reports had been submitted earlier.
The 2021 post-poll violence in the state had triggered widespread political controversy and led to multiple investigations following allegations of attacks, intimidation and displacement of people in several districts after the assembly election results were announced.
The top court had earlier stayed the proceedings pending before various trial courts across West Bengal in relation to the incidents of violence during the 2021 assembly polls.
“Additional Solicitor General of India submits that the officers/officials/the complainant(s), advocates and the witnesses are being openly threatened and intimidated, thus obstructing and impeding the cause and course of justice.
“In the meanwhile, further proceedings of the trial referred to in… the instant petition, shall remain stayed,” the SC had said.
(PTI News)
