The Supreme Court intervened on Monday, suspending the notices issued by the privileges committee of the Lok Sabha Secretariat to West Bengal's chief secretary, DGP, and others following a complaint lodged by BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar.
Background of the Case
The move came after BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar filed a complaint of "misconduct" against West Bengal officials. The complaint arose from an incident where Majumdar sustained injuries during clashes between BJP workers and police in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal.
Court's response
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwla and Manoj Misra granted the stay, considering submissions from senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi, representing the state officials. The notices summoning the officials to appear before the privileges committee at 10:30 am on Monday were put on hold by the apex court.
Opposition from Lok Sabha Secretariat
The counsel representing the Lok Sabha Secretariat opposed the stay, arguing that this was the committee's first session. The Lok Sabha Secretariat emphasised that the notices were part of a routine process triggered when an MP's complaint is deemed worthy of investigation by the Speaker.
Stay on proceedings
West Bengal Chief Secretary Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika and Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar were among those summoned by the Lok Sabha Secretariat. The Supreme Court issued notices to the Lok Sabha Secretariat and others involved, seeking their responses within four weeks. Meanwhile, the court halted proceedings before the lower House panel until further notice.
Incident in Sandeshkhali
The Sandeshkhali area witnessed unrest as women in the locality accused Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of land-grabbing and sexual assault. BJP members, including MP Sukanta Majumdar, were prevented from entering Sandeshkhali, escalating tensions in the area.
The Supreme Court's intervention added a new dimension to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Sandeshkhali incident, highlighting the intersection of political, legal, and social issues in West Bengal.
