SC pulls up CBI for alleging hostile environment in all WB courts

The Supreme Court on Friday (September 20) rebuked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for filing a petition to transfer post-poll violence cases from West Bengal to another state, according to reports.

The court ordered the investigating agency to withdraw the petition, expressing strong disapproval of the claims made, which suggested that a hostile environment existed in all West Bengal courts.

Justice Abhay S Oka, addressing Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, remarked, “Raju, what kind of grounds are taken in this? That all courts in West Bengal have (a) hostile environment? Blanket averment that courts are illegally granting bail? This is casting aspersions that the entire judiciary is under (a) hostile environment.”

Following the bench’s sharp critique, ASG Raju opted to withdraw the transfer request. The bench, comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih, was particularly concerned about the ‘scandalous’ accusations made against the West Bengal judiciary.

“Scandalous allegations have been made against all the courts in general in West Bengal. Repeatedly averred that there is hostile environment prevailing in the courts. It is very unfortunate that Central Agency has chosen to cast aspersions on courts in West Bengal,” the Supreme Court said in the order.

In its order, the Supreme Court noted that the petition made ‘serious allegations’ about the courts in West Bengal, repeatedly suggesting a hostile environment.

According to a report by LiveLaw, the court found it troubling that the CBI had chosen to challenge the integrity of the state’s judiciary.