Calcutta HC directs ex-Andaman chief secretary to appear before SIT over gang-rape charge
The Hindu
Holding that the case requires immediate inquiry, the Calcutta High Court directed Jitendra Narain to appear before the SIT by October 28
The Calcutta High Court directed Jitendra Narain, a former chief secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to appear before a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing alleged gang-rape charges against him, by October 28, holding that the case requires immediate inquiry.
A vacation Bench comprising justices Bibek Chaudhuri and Prasenjit Biswas granted interim protection against arrest to Narain till a date that will be fixed by the circuit bench of the Calcutta High Court in Port Blair on November 14 on its first date of sitting after the Puja vacation.
The SIT is probing an allegation by a woman that she was gang-raped by Narain and others on April 14 and May 1, on the basis of an FIR filed at Aberdeen Police Station in Port Blair on October 1.
The court also noted that Mr. Narain, who was transferred to Delhi on July 21, has declared that he is ready and willing to cooperate with the investigation.
Holding that the case requires immediate investigation, the court stated, "We direct the petitioner to appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on a date/dates fixed by the SIT during the period 22nd October, 3 2022 to 28th October, 2022 giving at least two days prior notice to the learned Advocate for the petitioner."
The Bench allowed the SIT to interrogate and take all other steps such as medical examination of the petitioner in the course of interrogation.
The complainant had filed an application before the Aberdeen Police Station in Port Blair on September 30, on the basis of which the FIR was lodged.
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