'Incidents are very disturbing, top court to take a call': CJI Sanjiv Khanna on Murshidabad violence

Supreme Court

Expressing concern over violence in Bengal's Murshidabad, Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna said the episode is extremely disturbing and the issue will be taken up by the top court. “One thing is very disturbing, the violence. The issue is before the Court, and we will decide,” the CJI remarked.

Appearing before the court, Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, iterated that individuals should refrain from using violence as pressure tactics.

Earlier today, describing the violence in Murshidabad as “pre-planned communal riots”, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that if elements from Bangladesh are involved in the riots then the Union Government should be held responsible.

The chief minister also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of three people killed during the violence and directed the state chief secretary to initiate a probe into the role of the BSF, alleging that the force opened fire which led to the death of one of them.

Meanwhile, an initial probe into the massive violence that rocked West Bengal over the Waqf law has revealed the involvement of Bangladeshi miscreants, the Union Home Ministry was informed, according to sources. The probe also found that the Mamata Banerjee-led government failed to monitor the intruders as unrest gripped Murshidabad district and South 24 Parganas during protests over the Waqf law, killing three people and injuring several others.

West Bengal, which has over 80,480 Waqf properties - second only to Uttar Pradesh's 2.2 lakh, has witnessed widespread protests after the passage of the Waqf law earlier this month. The law, which expands the government's role in regulating Waqf properties, is being seen by a section of the Muslim community as a move to "snatch" their land. The Centre has rejected such claims.

The unrest spilled over to Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district on Monday when a protest led by the India Secular Front (ISF) against the Waqf law turned violent. Protesters clashed with police and set fire to vehicles after they were stopped from heading to Kolkata.