The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has withdrawn around 20 petitions from the Supreme Court seeking to move trials arising from the 2021 West Bengal post-poll violence to courts outside the state, citing a change in circumstances.
A three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana permitted the withdrawal on Wednesday after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that the agency no longer wished to pursue the transfer requests.
The development follows a change of government in West Bengal, where the BJP came to power after defeating the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress in the Assembly elections earlier this year.
CBI Had Raised Concerns Over Fair Trials
The petitions, filed in 2023 during Banerjee’s tenure as chief minister, sought the transfer of several criminal proceedings connected with the violence that followed the 2021 Assembly elections.
The investigating agency had expressed apprehensions about the conduct of trials within West Bengal, alleging intimidation of witnesses and threats against lawyers representing the prosecution.
The CBI had maintained that the prevailing conditions could affect the fairness of the judicial proceedings.
Acting on these concerns, the Supreme Court had previously stayed proceedings before trial courts in the state in cases concerning the post-election violence.
In its earlier order, the Court recorded the Additional Solicitor General’s submission that investigating officials, complainants, advocates and witnesses were facing threats and intimidation that obstructed the administration of justice.
The Court had consequently directed that further trial proceedings in the matters before it remain stayed.
Fresh Investigations Initiated by West Bengal CID
Separately, the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has undertaken fresh investigative steps concerning complaints arising from the 2021 violence.
According to the available figures, the CID has initiated 458 new inquiries and registered 181 fresh First Information Reports (FIRs).
The agency has also reopened 59 cases in which final reports had previously been submitted.
Background of the 2021 Violence
The violence following the announcement of the 2021 West Bengal Assembly election results led to allegations of assaults, intimidation and displacement of residents across several districts.
The incidents generated considerable political controversy and prompted multiple investigations.
The CBI subsequently approached the Supreme Court in 2023, seeking to shift the trials outside West Bengal over concerns about witness safety and the ability to conduct proceedings fairly.
With the Supreme Court now allowing the agency to withdraw its transfer petitions, the CBI’s requests for conducting those trials outside the state are no longer being pursued.
