Ritu Singh v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

20.02.2025 Item No.16 RP/SG Ct. No.01 WPA(P) 463 OF 2024 Ritu Singh VS.

State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Anindya Sundar Das Mr. Sudip Sarkar Ms. Paramita Mondal Ms. Suva Gayen Mr. Suman Halder Mr. Syed Ali Afzal Mr. Partha Sarathi Mishra ....For Petitioner Mr. Kishore Datta, Ld. AG Mr. Swapan Banerjee, AGP Ms. Sumita Shaw Mr. Soumen Chatterjee ....For State

1. By filing this public interest litigation the petitioner prays for a direction upon the Central Bureau Investigation to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into the violent attacks and desecration of religious idols during Durga Puja and Lakshmi Puja across West Bengal between 11th and 16th October, 2024.

2. Direction was issued to the authorities to file a report. Accordingly, a status report has been filed by the Additional Director General of Police (II), Criminal Investigation Department, West Bengal. From the said report we find that various police authorities have taken action and in one such report filed by the Superintendent of Police, Howrah (Rural District) it is

stated that during investigation 74 persons were arrested and similar reports have been filed by the Superintendents of Police of various districts as well. In the light of the above, we direct the Additional Director General of Police (II), Criminal Investigation Department, West Bengal to monitor the progress of investigation and respective Superintendent of Police shall ensure that investigation is completed and charge sheet is filed as expeditiously as possible preferably not later than sixty days from the date of receipt of the server copy of this order.

3. With the aforesaid direction, this writ petition is disposed of.

(T.S. SIVAGNANAM) CHIEF JUSTICE (CHAITALI CHATTERJEE (DAS), J.)