Thaindian News

Kolkata, July 6 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court Friday ordered the West Bengal government to file an affidavit within two weeks about the progress of investigation in athlete Pinki Pramanik’s case. It has also been asked to submit the case diary.

Pramanik, Asiad gold medallist, has been accused of being a male and is currently under judicial custody for alleged rape.

The court passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on the alleged violation of Pramanik’s human rights.

“The bench of Chief Justice J.N. Patel and Justice Sambuddha Chakrabarti has directed the state government to file an affidavit within two weeks giving its stand on the case as well as the progress of investigation. The case diary has also been asked to be submitted,” R.S. Chattopadhyay, who filed the PIL, told IANS.

Filed on behalf of Bharati Mutsuddi, a former West Bengal Women’s Commission member, the PIL calls the detention of Pramanik illegal and seeks the athlete’s release. It also accuses the state administration of violating the human rights of the sportsperson.

Regarding an MMS showing the athlete in the nude and which has gone viral online, the court said the police cyber cell would investigate the case if the athlete filed a complaint.

A complaint against the alleged circulation of the MMS clip is yet to be filed as Pinki is behind bars and her parents are at their native place in Purulia district.

The West Bengal Human Rights Commission had Tuesday, expressing serious concerns, ordered a probe into the allegations of human rights violations of the athlete and sought a report within a week from the head of the police and the state home secretary.

Pramanik was arrested June 14 after her live-in partner, a divorcee and a mother of one, lodged a police complaint accusing the athelete of being a man who has been repeatedly raping and torturing her.

The treatment meted out to the athlete who has often been escorted by male police officers has attracted severe criticism from all quarters, including the sporting fraternity.

Meanwhile, opposition Left Front also accused the state government of violating the human rights of Pramanik.

“The police was prompt in arresting Pinki for rape. So many days have passed, and they are yet to ascertain if the athlete is a male or a female. The way Pinki is being treated by the police and the administration surely violates the athlete’s human Rights,” Leader of Opposition and Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Surjya Kanta Mishra told reporters.