‘Fact-finding’ team visits Sandeshkhali after HC nod; prohibitory orders lifted

Led by Former Chief Justice of Patna High Court L Narasimha Reddy, the team visited Majherpara, Natunpara and Naskarpara Ras Temple villages in Sandeshkhali, which falls under the Sunderbans, after getting permission by the Calcutta High Court.

Earlier on February 25, the team from Delhi was stopped from visiting the Sandeshkhali by the West Bengal police citing prohibitory orders. Apart from Justice Reddy, the team also comprised retired IPS officer Rajpal Singh, former joint registrar Omprakash Vyas, lawyers Charu Wali Khanna and Bhavna Bajaj, and journalist Sanjeev Naik.

The team returned to Kolkata and met West Bengal C V Ananda Bose over their experience. Three days later, the team moved the High Court, which granted them the permission to visit Sandeshkhali on March 3 and talk to local residents subject to conditions.

The development comes as the police lifted section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure from 11 areas in Sandeshkhali on Sunday morning.

On Sunday morning, the team reached Dhamakhali. After seeing the court order, the police asked the members to submit written forms. Police then allowed all six members to proceed to Sandeshkhali in a boat.

According to sources, all committee members are associated with an NGO called ‘Lawyers for Justice’. “The six members had also visited Bengal in 2023 and had reportedly met BJP workers who were affected by post-poll violence in the state,” a source said.