The West Bengal government on Wednesday decided to hand over the case of the gangrape of a 71-year-old nun of a Rangaghat convent school to the CBI as the demand for justice grew louder with the culprits still at large even after four days of the incident.

Considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the case and also the fact that the place where the incident took place is very close to border area, I have decided to entrust the investigation of the case to the CBI.

-Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister on Facebook

She said her government would provide all necessary cooperation and assistance to the CBI for investigation in this case.

“The Ranaghat incident of 14th March is a very serious matter. The police administration was instructed to take swift action to nab the culprits. They are making their best efforts,” Banerjee said.

The President of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, who arrived at Ranaghat to express solidarity said, “CBCI would like to request the authorities to ensure that justice is done”.

Our secular india is facing an anxiety about the attacks on minorities. At the moment a message has gone to everyone in governance. I am told the Prime Minister has also sought a report on the matter.

-Cardinal Cleemis, President of CBCI

The state government had earlier ordered a CID probe into the incident. No arrest could be made so far although 15 persons have been detained in this connection, the police said.

TMC’s Derek O’Brien said, “This is a decision by the Mamata Banerjee government. We are very serious about nabbing the culprits.”