Setback to Trinamool camp and so-called 'Maa, Mati, Manush' slogan ::::: Calcutta High Court orders CBI probe into Sandeshkhali sexual assault case

 High Court orders CBI probe into Sandeshkhali sexual assault case

A court-monitored CBI investigation should be done into the Sandeshkhali case, involving allegations of sexual atrocities and land grabs by local Trinamool Congress leaders, the Calcutta High Court has said.

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered a court-monitored CBI investigation into the Sandeshkhali case, wherein allegations of sexual atrocities on women and land grabs were levelled against local leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

The court also directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit a report on the illegal conversion of agricultural land for pisciculture. 

Earlier, the investigations into the attack on a team of the Enforcement Directorate by Sheikh Shahjahan's musclemen were handed over to the CBI.   

Giving out today's order, the court said, "Considering the complexity of the matters in Sandeshkhali, there is no doubt that an impartial investigation should be done. We are of the opinion that the state has to give proper support to whoever agency is given incharge for investigation."

"A portal/email ID is to be launched for receiving complaints. The District Magistrate should give adequate publicity mentioning the date of release of the same in vernacular," it said.

"The CBI shall file a comprehensive report and also enquire and investigate the grabbing of land. The agency will have the power to enquire anyone, including common people, government departments, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO)s, etc."

"The court will monitor the whole matter closely. CCTV cameras are to be installed on a priority basis within 15 days. LED street lights are also to be installed. Funds as required shall be given by the state," the court said.

It further listed the matter for hearing on May 2.

Sandeshkhali has been in the news post the attack on a team of Enforcement Directorate officers, while they had gone there to conduct a raid at the residence of suspended Trinamool leader Sheikh Shahjahan, in connection with the ration distribution scam in West Bengal.

Allegations of sexual atrocities on women and land grabs were levelled against local leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district recently.

Sheikh Shahjahan, a key accused in sexual assault and land grab charges in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, was arrested by the Bengal Police on February 29 in connection with an assault on Enforcement Directorate officials.

Launching a scathing attack on the Congress and the INDIA bloc while sounding a warning bell, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that action against corruption will speed up in the third term of his government at the Centre.

Addressing a rally in Maoist-hit Balaghat Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh, PM Modi said that frustrated with the action against corruption, leaders of the INDIA bloc have been abusing him.

"The INDIA bloc is abusing and threatening me. But, I have decided to continue the action against corruption. In the next five years, Modi's operation against corruption will pick speed," PM Modi said.

PM Modi said the Opposition is getting united and protesting against operations being carried out against corruption.

"I assure that every single penny looted from the people of this country will be recovered. The action against corruption will go on with more speed in the third term," he said.

PM Modi further added that he would need the support of the people for the action against corruption. The Prime Minister also appealed to the people of Balaghat to vote for BJP candidate Bharti Pardhi as her election as Lok Sabha MP will empower him more.

The BJP has replaced its sitting Lok Sabha MP Dhal Singh Bisen and has fielded a fresh candidate – Bharti Pardhi from the Balaghat seat against Congress' Samrat Saraswat.

Balaghat Lok Sabha seat has been a stronghold of the Congress and Independents from 1952 to 1996.

However, the BJP wrested the seat from Congress in 1998 and since then, the party has been retaining it by winning it for six consecutive terms, including in 2019.

Modi also slammed the opposition INDIA alliance saying its constituents were working to protect the corrupt and abusing and threatening him to stop the country's development.

  Modi said the upcoming Lok Sabha election was a mission for building a new India and sought the people's blessings to take big and historic decisions in the ruling NDA's third term.

 He said the "sea of saffron" gathered to hear him shows what the poll results will be on June 4.

Modi said leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc were abusing and threatening him to stop the country's development.

    “When Modi gives a guarantee of the country’s security, they abuse me. When Modi fulfills the guarantee of abrogating Article 370 (which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir), they start talking in the language of Pakistan,” he said.

    "We have to take the rocket of development much higher," he said.

“Modi bows either before Lord Mahakal or before the public and for the development of the country and its service, I have also learnt to tolerate abuses,” he said.

Modi also said that the opposition leaders abused him when he fulfilled the guarantee of consecration of Lord Ram's idol at the Ayodhya temple.

In reference to President Draupadi Murmu, Modi said the Congress conspired to defeat the first tribal woman president of India. He asked the people to vote in large numbers and break all the polling records.

Polling in Balaghat will be held in the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls in MP on April 19.

NCERT adds Article 370, removes Azad Pak reference from Class 12 textbook

The NCERT has made additional changes to its textbook syllabus for the upcoming academic year, including a revision to the reference in the Class 12 Political Science textbook regarding India's border situation with China, Article 370 and more.   

In Class 12 book,  the words “Azad Pakistan”, have been changed to “Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir”.

On Page 119, the existing version of the textbook reads, “India claims that this area is under illegal occupation. Pakistan describes this area as ‘Azad Pakistan’.”

Now, the version has been changed to: "However, it is the Indian territory which is under illegal occupation of Pakistan called Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK).”

The NCERT's rationale, “The change which has been introduced is in complete concurrence with the latest position of the Govt of India in regard to Jammu and Kashmir.”

In recent statements from the ruling government, it has been very vocal about Pak-occupied Kashmir territory. Ministers of the ruling BJP government have made strong references to it on various platforms and even inside the Indian parliament.

REFERENCE TO KHALISTAN REMOVED

Even references to Khalistan or the secession movement for a separate Sikh state has been removed from the syllabus.

On Page 123, the existing version reads: “The Resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism, but it could also be interpreted as a plea for a separate Sikh nation.”

Now the statement has been changed to: “The Resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism in India.”