Kolkata: West Bengal government has decided to hand over the Rangaghat nun gangrape case to CBI "considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the case", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday.

She said her government will provide all necessary co-operation and assistance to the CBI for investigation in this case.

"Considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the case and also the fact that the place of incidence is very close to border area, I have decided to entrust investigation of the case to CBI", the chief minister said in a Facebook post.

"The Ranaghat incident of 14th March, 2015 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.


Earlier, the National Human Rights Commission issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, West Bengal calling for reports in the matter within two weeks.

Read: Nun gangrape: NHRC issues notice to West Bengal government, seeks report

Catholic Bishop's Conference of India president Cardinal Baselios Cleemis on Wednesday said the culprits behind the gangrape of an elderly nun in West Bengal's Nadia district must be brought to appropriate action. "I, being the President of the Catholic Bishop's Conference of India, would like to assure our reverend sisters here that all the churches in India, the whole community is with them and also we would like to ensure that justice is done and justice brought to the people who are affected," said Cardinal Baselios Cleemis.

Read: Altercation, death threats at school before nun was gangraped

Cardinal Cleemis said he would like to thank the public of the country who showed their sympathy and their sentiments of togetherness at this point of time. "The Catholic Church's commitment will continue with more fervour and commitment and we are not stopped by such events and such violations.”

A 71-year-old nun was raped by a gang of seven dacoits inside a Convent in Gangnapur village of Nadia district in West Bengal on March 14. Reportedly, the victim along with another nun tried to thwart the robbery attempt on the premises of the Convent.

However, the dacoits tied up the other nun and raped the victim in front of her. They also decamped with Rs 12 lakh with 10 to 12 lakh rupees in cash.

Read: PM Modi 'deeply concerned' about nun's gangrape and church attack, seeks immediate report

Nine people have been detained in connection with the case after police officials released.

CCTV footage of the perpetrators. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation across the country, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assuring a thorough inquiry into the matter, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked for a report.