Kolkata, May 18 (IANS) The newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led West Bengal government on Monday announced the formation of two separate probe commissions, both headed by retired judges of the Calcutta High Court, to investigate cases of “institutional corruption” and “crime against women”.

The decision was taken at the second meeting of the new cabinet earlier in the day, following which Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the move on Monday afternoon.

“Both the probe commissions will start functioning from June. Justice Biswajit Basu (retired) of the Calcutta High Court will head the committee probing cases of ‘institutional corruption’. On the other hand, the committee probing cases of ‘crime against women’ will be headed by Justice Samapti Chattopadhyay,” the Chief Minister told media persons on Monday afternoon.

The formation of probe commissions on “institutional corruption” and “crime against women” was among the promises made by the BJP in its pre-election Sankalp Patra (election manifesto). The proposals received formal approval from the new state cabinet on Monday.

Senior police officer Damayanti Sen, currently serving as Additional Director General of West Bengal Armed Police, has been included in the committee on “crime against women”. Her role will primarily involve supervising the collection of data and evidence in major cases related to crimes against women in West Bengal over the past few years.

“There had been rampant corruption in the implementation of different social projects of both the Central and state governments during the previous regime. Bribes had to be paid for getting benefits under these social projects. Common people were cheated. Many government officials, panchayat members, councillors and chains of brokers were involved in such corrupt practices. We were supposed to form a commission against this institutional corruption. Now the commission has been formed under the leadership of retired Justice Basu,” the Chief Minister said.

He also said that logistical support to the two commissions would be provided through the offices of Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal and Home Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh.

“I expect the commissions will start giving their suggestions 30 days after the beginning of their functioning. The police will register FIRs on the basis of their suggestions. Proper action will be taken under appropriate sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023,” the Chief Minister added.

–IANS

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