A.K. Ganguly Slams Bengal Rights Panel over woman's torture

Kolkata, Jan 22 (IANS) Former Supreme Court judge A.K. Ganguly Thursday condemned the alleged torture of a woman by West Bengal police, and expressed anguish over the state human rights commission's failure to take action in the incident that has attracted widespread criticism.

Ganguly, the former chairperson of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission, also criticised the Mamata Banerjee government for "siding with criminals".

"The state commission is virtually defunct. As its former chairman, it's unfortunate to see the commission not doing any work. It's painful to see that such a barbaric incident has failed to attract its attention," Ganguly told IANS on the sidelines of an event here.

"With the state panel defunct, it is not possible for the people to rush to Delhi to the national commission seeking redressal for their grievances," said Ganguly.

During his tenure, the panel had taken suo motu cognizance of many incidents of human rights violation and made recommendations that eventually earned the wrath of the Banerjee government.

Ganguly also slammed the administration for pressing bailbale charges against the perpetrators which allegedly include leaders from the ruling Trinamool Congress.

"Pressing bailable charges is hardly surprising, because the state administration is known for taking sides with the criminals and protecting them. This government is not working on democratic principles and encouraging the criminals," he said.

The homemaker from Sattor village in Birbhum district has alleged that a police team accompanied by local Trinamool leaders Jan 17 forcibly took her away to a jungle and tortured her to extract information about her nephew, a local BJP leader wanted over his alleged involvement in clashes in Parui.

The woman in her police complaint alleged that her entire body was slashed with blades and nettle leaves rubbed in her private parts.

A National Commission for Women (NCW) team is slated to visit the woman Friday to probe the incident.

While a sub inspector has been suspended and departmental proceedings initiated against three other policemen, the state government said it will be handing over the probe of the incident to the Criminal Investigation Department.