Birbhum Violence LIVE Updates: HC Hands Over Case to CBI, TMC Says ‘Govt’s Probe Impartial’; Forensic Team Arrives in Rampurhat
The Calcutta High Court on Friday ordered a CBI investigation into Birbhum violence stating that the decision was taken in the interest of justice. The court directed an SIT formed by the Bengal government to hand over all probe-related papers and the accused persons arrested by it to the central agency.
“We welcome the court’s decision. Only a CBI probe can bring out the truth as the police, acting as agents of the ruling party, were trying to suppress the matter,” state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar said. Echoing him, CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said his party was hopeful that the CBI would carry out a fair probe.
A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a CBI probe into the death of eight people in a fire tragedy in West Bengal’s Birbhum district. The plea filed by Vishnu Gupta, the national president of the Hindu Sena, alleged that local authorities are trying to shield the real culprits of the ghastly incident under the influence of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state.
“The police administration of the state of West Bengal has miserably failed in discharging its duty and responsibility in protecting the life and property of the people of village Bogtui, district Birbhum, West Bengal. The ghastly incident of murder, arson and loot, which took place on March 21, 2022, has resulted in the murder of more than eight persons of the village, which include women and children. “Further, the fear and insecurity and lack of faith in the police administration is also evident from the exodus of people from that village to some other safe places. Therefore, it requires interference of this court to protect the fundamental right of the people in Birbhum district,” the plea said.
It has sought directions to the investigating agency to take over all the FIRs registered by the local police in connection with the incident.
Hours after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took a tough stance and ordered hunting down of all suspected of involvement the Birbhum carnage including her party colleagues, police on Thursday arrested local Trinamool Congress boss Anarul Hossain from near a hotel in the pilgrimage town of Tarapith. Earlier in the day, on visiting Bogtui village, the scene of Tuesday’s fire bombing and burning of eight people, Banerjee vowed that the police would ensure the strictest punishment for the guilty and none would be spared.
