The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered an investigation into the violence committed post-election poll in the state of West Bengal.

The initial complaint highlighted the inaction of police in regard to post-poll violence. Even though the incidents occurring across the state were well within the knowledge of the police, there had been no punitive or preventive action.

The court ordered an enquiry committee to be created by the court on June 21, consisting of 7 members coming from various human rights groups. The committee was led by Mr. Rajiv Sharma- a member of National Human Rights Commission. The committee disclosed that it received approximately 1,979 complaints covering about 15,000 victims.

It was highlighted by the court while perusing the interim report that the West Bengal state government has been caught on the wrong foot. It was reported during the perusal of the interim committee report that the five judge bench castigated the state government for its failure to create an atmosphere of trust to rehabilitate people displaced by the violence. In its analysis the court found that such instances, even if held to be isolated, are not good or healthy for democracy.

On Wednesday, the court ordered an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Highlighting the gruesome nature of violence, the court said that crimes such as murder and rape deserve to be investigated by an independent agency such as the CBI. To instill faith in the police, the court also proposed to constitute a special investigation team (SIT). The SIT will be headed by Suman Bala Sahoo and Soumen Mitra and Ranveer Kumar of Indian Police Service, and it shall be overseen by a Supreme Court judge upon their consent.

Both CBI and SIT have been directed to submit a status report in six weeks. Subsequent to such report, immediate action shall be taken by the state to pay compensation to the victims.