In a significant directive on Wednesday, the Supreme Court asked the West Bengal government to submit a status report on the investigations against senior BJP leaders Kailash Vijayvargiya, Arjun Singh, and others, concerning criminal cases filed against them. The bench, consisting of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, has given the state one month to respond with a detailed affidavit outlining the progress of each case.
The cases in question were lodged at various police stations across West Bengal, with the implicated leaders alleging political motives behind the charges, especially in light of the upcoming 2021 assembly elections. The apex court has extended interim protection to the accused until July 23, the next scheduled hearing, safeguarding them from any coercive action.
During the proceedings, the petitioners argued for transferring the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing concerns over impartiality. However, the justices questioned the certainty of a fair investigation by the CBI, reflecting the complexities involved in the case.
Arjun Singh highlighted the political undertones in the legal challenges he faces, pointing out that 64 criminal cases, primarily related to minor public order disruptions and injuries, were registered against him in 2019 alone. His son, Pawan Singh, a current MLA who shifted allegiances from the TMC to the BJP, also faces multiple charges, which he claims are politically motivated to deter his political activities.
