Calcutta High Court orders CBI probe in Hanskhali rape case

The division bench comprising Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj said a probe by the central agency is necessary to have a fair investigation in the matter.

They noted that the same would also instill confidence in the family of the victim.

The court directed the state investigating agency to hand over the probe to the CBI with immediate effect.

“The State Investigating Agency will hand over all the papers relating to the investigation along with the custody of the accused persons to the CBI forthwith. The CBI will furnish a report about the progress of investigation before this Court on the next date of hearing," the Division Bench was quoted as stating in media reports.

"The concerned authorities are also directed to extend full protection to the family members of the victim and witnesses of the case,” it added.

The matter will come up for hearing on May 2.

According to reports, the minor girl had joined the birthday party of local TMC leader Samar Gayali's son Brajagopal Gayali at his place on Apr 4 (Monday) and in the late evening, some locals brought her home with severe sickness.

Family members of the 14-year-old girl were also allegedly "threatened" not to take her to any government or private hospital. They were also advised to take the girl to a local "quack doctor".

Later on Apr 5 (Tuesday) early morning, the girl died at her home. Her family members alleged that she had been gang-raped by the TMC leader's son and his friends at the birthday party and she had died of excessive bleeding.

It was also alleged that her body was "cremated under pressure" with kerosene at a local 'unregistered' crematorium, without autopsy, medical test or even any death certificate.

Reacting to the incident, Banerjee, while speaking at a government programme, said, "The police are yet to understand the cause of her death. I had asked them. Will you call it rape or was she pregnant? Was it (the fallout of) a love affair?" "Have you enquired about these?"

Banerjee's remark has sparked a political row in West Bengal with the opposition as well as common people slamming her 'insensitive' statement.

Following the court's order to hand over the case to the CBI, Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar tweeted: "Criminal Investigation in shameful rape #Hanskhali leading to victim death is tainted & compromised when people in authority & constitutional position indicate judgmental stance. This against the law approach scuttles fair & independent probe as police is forced to toe such line."