SC seeks report on WB gang-rape

The Supreme Court on Friday sought a report from the West Bengal’s chief secretary on the action taken against the 13 people allegedly involved in the gang-rape of a tribal woman in the Birbhum district of West Bengal last month.

A bench presided over by Chief Justice P Sathasivam noted the absence of details on the follow-up action in the matter after perusing a report sent by the district judge at the instance of the apex court.

The court had on January 24 taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and asked the district judge to submit a report.

“In the report, we do not find any information about the steps taken by the police against the persons concerned. Accordingly, we direct the registrar of this court to forward a copy of the report of the district judge, Birbhum, to the chief secretary, West Bengal, and who in turn will submit a detailed report and the follow up action by the police concerned to this court within a period of two weeks,” said the bench in a brief order.

The court also asked Additional Solicitor General Siddharth Luthra to assist in the matter.The district judge, along with chief judicial magistrate and a team of persons, had inspected the place in question and forwarded a report to the apex court.