'Unable to arrest real culprits & going after innocent journalist': Calcutta HC slams police, grants bail to Republic Bangla journalist
22 Feb 2024 16:43:35
Kolkata, Feb 22: The Calcutta High Court has slammed the police for going after an innocent journalist and granted bail to Republic Bangla journalist Santu Pan arrested by the West Bengal police in the violence-hit Sandeshkhali area. The court has also stayed the probe against him.
The Calcutta High Court observed there is no clear explanation of the allegations against Republic Bangla journalist Santu Pan. Coming down heavily on Mamata cops, the court asked, "Why this FIR shouldn't be quashed".
"Feel sorry for police officers. You have not been able to arrest real culprits. You are after an innocent journalist while the people who are not caught are making a mockery of the law. You want to put all your energy after this innocent journalist", Calcutta High Court reprimanded Mamata cops while upholding the Republic's Right To Report.
Santu Pan was arrested while he was reporting from the ground in Sandeshkhali where several Hindu women were allegedly raped and sexually exploited by the Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his accomplices. However, the police arrested him on the basis of a complaint by a woman alleging that he had trespassed into her house.
The arrested journalist of Republic Bangla TV to an undisclosed location. The men escorting him had covered faces and their uniforms had no insignia.
In a letter addressed to DGP, PS Sandeshkhali, arrested Republic Bangla reporter Santu Pan's wife has stated, "I have just seen very concerning late night footage on the live television in which my husband is being shoved into the ferry and taken away on the boat to an undisclosed location. I have seen that the police who are captured on camera have not disclosed any information on where Santu Pan is being taken".
“It is already captured on TV that my husband has said that he is being tortured in custody. Given the late night movement of my husband to an undisclosed location without any information provided to me, my family or the legal team, I am very worried about his safety and fear for his life," she added.
On February 8, hundreds of women in Sandeshkhali took to the streets to protest against land grabbing, non-payment of wages and sexual violence committed by TMC goon Sheikh Shahjahan and his accomplices. The police arrested TMC leader Shibu Prasad Hazra over land grabbing and sexual exploitation of women in Sandeshkhali. The primary accused Sheikh Shahjahan, is still on the run from the law enforcement authorities.