HC sets aside Sec 144 in Sandeshkhali

Area on tenterhooks since Jan 5 when ED officials got bashed up during raids on TMC leader

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RENDERING a major blow to the West Bengal government's decision to impose restrictions on movements in Sandeshkhali, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday set aside the promulgation of prohibitory order under Section 144 of CrPC in the ruling Trinamool Congress' stronghold that has been witnessing protests by locals over the past one week.

Responding to a petition filed by two residents of Sandeshkhali seeking a direction from the court for lifting the prohibitory orders in the area, Justice Jay Sengupta set aside district administration's decision to clamp Section 144 of CrPC holding that the manner in which it was done was not right. In another development, the high court on Tuesday tooksuo motu cognisance of allegations of sexual assault on women by TMC satraps and forcible transfer of tribal land there.