Centre, Bengal spar in SC after woman returns from B’desh

The Centre and the West Bengal government crossed swords in the Supreme Court on Friday over a pregnant woman brought back from Bangladesh on "humanitarian" grounds following a court order.

- Abraham Thomas

While the former alleged that since her return, there is a "narrative building" against the government, the state accused the Centre of not making a proper inquiry before sending the woman out of the country.

With the woman Sunali Khatun back home with her eightyear-old son in Malda and under the care of her father, the court said it is "immune" from any such narrative-building.

A bench headed by CJI Surya Kant said, "We are completely immune from such publicity or pseudo publicity stunts. Just that these narratives should not affect any lives." As an advice and a caution, the bench, also comprising justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, said, "About a sub-judice matter there should not be a running commentary. We can only appeal and advise that you may report a matter which is coming up or is taken up. But you must not thrust your opinion on the court."