Supreme Court Dismisses PIL for SIT Probe into Waqf Bill Protests

The Supreme Court has rejected a Public Interest Litigation demanding a Special Investigation Team investigation into violent protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Murshidabad, suggesting the petitioner approach the Calcutta High Court instead, highlighting the adequacy of Article 226 for state-level grievances.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the violent protests surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in Murshidabad, West Bengal. Led by Justice Surya Kant, the bench advised the petitioner to seek recourse with the Calcutta High Court.

The bench emphasized the availability of an alternative and efficacious remedy under Article 226 of the Constitution, suggesting it was unnecessary to entertain the petition under Article 32. Filed by Satish Kumar Agarwal, the plea criticized state authorities' failure to protect the lives and property of Murshidabad residents amid the unrest.

Advocate Barun Kumar Sinha, representing the petitioner, argued that state authorities had failed to investigate the violence that had notably impacted Hindus, leading to an exodus. Despite the petitioner's concerns, the bench reiterated the jurisdiction of the Calcutta High Court in addressing such state-specific issues and dismissed the petition as potentially publicity-driven.

(With inputs from agencies.)