Not a single CBI special court functional in West Bengal: Amit Shah

Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale’s address in the Rajya Sabha on affairs of the Union Home Ministry caused a massive ruckus on Wednesday inviting a sharp response from Home Minister Amit Shah.

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Not a single Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court remained functional in West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (March 19, 2025).

Gokhale who initiated the discussion on the working of the ministry pointed out that over 6,900 cases probed by the CBI were pending trial.

Shah retorted stating the CBI was not under the purview of the Ministry and if the member wanted, he could widen the scope of the debate. The Home Minister also said that not a single CBI special court is functional in West Bengal.

Gokhale took a swipe at Shah claiming that he was “afraid" of being questioned. To this, Shah responded that he was in Parliament at anybody’s mercy.

“I am not at anyone’s mercy and came here (Parliament) after winning seven elections. I haven’t entered here just by opposing an ideology. There’s no question of being afraid,” he said.

Shah said that Gokhale was misleading the House. “The number of cases he is referring to pertain to political violence in West Bengal and has been registered on the orders of the Supreme Court and the High Court. After we won more seats in West Bengal, people were targeted and killed in booths, women were sexually assaulted. The cases are not reaching a conclusion as there is not a single special CBI court in West Bengal,” Shah said.

Leader of the House JP Nadda demanded an apology from Gokhale and the TMC MP emphasised that he would not make one.

Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar also urged Gokhale to withdraw his observations against Shah.

When Gokhale refused to withdraw them, Dhankar said his remarks were unparliamentary and would be expunged.

The House witnessed another round of protests after Gokhale made a reference to the word tanashah (dictatorship) while talking about Shah.

“The way Saket Gokhale started the discussion is very negative. During his 10-minute address, he has not given a single suggestion. What do you want to achieve by speaking such language? I have never seen a member initiating a discussion like this. You must elevate your standards. He has lowered the dignity of the Rajya Sabha," parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju.

Gokhale concluded his speech saying that the Assembly election is due in West Bengal next year and if the BJP does not change its attitude, it will soon become a tadipaar (fugitive) in the State.

Nadda objected to the word being used against the party stating that it should be withdrawn.