Kasba rape case: Plea filed in Supreme Court seeking CBI probe

The horrific gang rape case involving a student in Kolkata’s Kasba area has now reached the highest echelons of the judiciary, with a petition being filed in the Supreme Court. The petitioner, Supreme Court lawyer Satyam Singh, has demanded a court-monitored investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), a time-bound probe, and assured the victim of safety and compensation. The petition also pointedly highlights the controversial and derogatory statements allegedly made against the victim by Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee and MLA Madan Mitra, bringing a political dimension to the legal battle.

In a parallel legal development, three public interest litigations (PILs) have also been filed in the Calcutta High Court regarding the incident. Lawyers Soumyashubhra Roy, Sayan De, and Vijay Kumar Singhal drew the attention of Justice Soumen Sen to the case, and the court has granted permission for the PILs to be heard. The High Court is expected to hold a hearing on the matter next Thursday.

The lawyers who filed the PILs are demanding a court-supervised investigation, possibly under the oversight of a retired judge, to ensure impartiality and a thorough probe. They also stressed the need for enhanced security measures in the college where the incident occurred. The court has indicated that it will issue a notice to the other party involved in the case as part of the legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the investigation by local police continues, and three individuals have already been arrested in connection with the Kasba case. Adding to the gravity of the matter, a new, obscene video allegedly involving the main accused has surfaced, which is expected to be a key piece of evidence in the ongoing probe.