BJP welcomes Cal HC order on CBI probe into post-poll violence

BJP welcomed the Calcutta High Court order directing CBI probe into cases like murder and rape in alleged post-poll violence in West Bengal and hailed it as 'a victory of the Constitution'. The ruling Trinamool Congress in the state hinted at appealing to the higher court.

Kolkata:BJP on Thursday welcomed the Calcutta High Court order directing CBI probe into cases like murder and rape in alleged post-poll violence in West Bengal and hailed it as 'a victory of the Constitution'. The ruling Trinamool Congress in the state hinted at appealing to the higher court.

Welcoming the order, BJP national general secretary and in-charge of West Bengal Kailash Vijayvargiya said 'The incidents of post-poll violence in West Bengal took place under the protection of the state government and the TMC,' he said.

BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said the verdict is a moral victory for the victims of the violence, including 'mothers and sisters who have been oppressed and deprived by the TMC and the West Bengal government'.

'The HC order today for CBI probe into post-poll violence in West Bengal is a victory of the Constitution,' he added. BJP had been alleging violence by the TMC against its party workers and their families since after the April-May state assembly polls. According to TMC sources, the state government is likely to move to a higher court challenging the order by the HC.

'The court has given an order. We respect the judiciary. But if the CBI comes in in every law and order matter, which is entirely within the state government's jurisdiction, it is a transgression of the state's right. I am sure the state government will look into the order and might take a decision to appeal to a higher court if necessary.' senior TMC leader and MP Sougata Roy said. TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh blamed the BJP for inciting violence in the state.

Read:Calcutta HC orders CBI, SIT probe in post-poll violence in West Bengal

'Before the vote, the BJP leaders had made provocative statements such as 'We will kill you and you won't get people to take the bodies to the crematorium'. Every threat is known to all. The BJP has repeatedly made such provoking statements in order to incite violence. They are doing the same now in Tripura,' Ghosh said in a series of tweets.

'The HC order cannot be openly opposed. It gave instructions. The government and the party's (TMC) top leadership will respond to the directions. Possible legal aspects will be considered. We think the NHRC report is purely politically motivated. I will not comment on the HC order now,' he added. On Thursday, the Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI probe into grievous cases such as murder and rape in alleged post-poll violence in West Bengal.

A five-judge bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal also ordered the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe all other offenses related to the alleged post-poll violence. The bench said the court will monitor both the investigations and directed CBI and the SIT to submit their reports within six weeks.

Read: Cal HC reserves order on PILs seeking impartial probe into post-poll violence in West Bengal

PTI