NHRC spot enquiry in Sandeshkhali case flags human rights violations

New Delhi, April 13 The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in its spot enquiry into West Bengal’s Sandeshkali case flagged several instances of atrocities stating that that there was a violation of human rights due to negligence in the prevention of such acts.

The human rights panel in its spot enquiry report observed that pervasive fear of reprisal, coupled with the power dynamics at play, acted as a formidable barrier, preventing these individuals from voicing their grievances.
This climate of terror not only perpetuates the cycle of abuse but also underscores the urgent need to create a safe and supportive environment for victims to break free from the shackles of silence, it said.
The commission made several recommendations and sent the spot enquiry report to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of West Bengal for submitting an action taken report within eight weeks on each of the recommendations made therein.
The recommendations given by the NHRC team include reinstating trust in the rule of law and confidence in authorities, ensuring witness protection and redressal of grievances, counseling and rehabilitation of victims of sexual offences and impartial investigation of complaints by Central agencies.
The commission has also directed to upload the spot enquiry report on its website for wider dissemination of information, the release said.
In February, 2024, the NHRC took suo motu cognizance of media reports that in Sandeshkhali, North 24th Paraganas district, West Bengal, innocent and impoverished women have been harassed and sexually assaulted by a group of local gang of a political person, as a result of which, for last few days, local villagers have started protesting for appropriate legal action against the perpetrators of horrific crimes, when the local Administration failed to take appropriate action in the matter.
In addition to calling for reports from the state government, the Commission, considering the gravity of the situation, had deputed an investigation team for a spot enquiry headed by one of its Members.
The NHRC investigation team found that there is a need to uproot the fear of these persons from the hearts of the victims to enable them to live their normal lives with their families and gain the confidence to live in society with dignity and pride.
It is the duty of the district authorities, being arms of a welfare state, to take consistent measures to instill confidence in the residents of the area in general and victims in particular so that others who have been victims of crimes may come forward and file their complaints, the NHRC said.