Calcutta HC hands over Birbhum violence probe to CBI, asks for preliminary report by April 7

The court, while hearing the matter on Friday, turned down the demand of the state government, in which it was asked to get the Birbhum violence investigated by the Bengal Police.

The Calcutta High Court on Friday ordered a CBI inquiry into the violence in West Bengal’s Birbhum district. The court, while hearing the matter on Friday, turned down the demand of the state government. The state originally asked to get the Birbhum violence investigated by the Bengal Police. To this, the High Court told the Advocate General (AG) of West Bengal that we do not see any reason behind stopping our order. So your demand is turned down.

Therefore, now the court has ordered the CBI to submit the investigation report of the case by April 7.

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Following the finding of submissions by all parties in the previous two days. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice R Bharadwaj headed the Special Investigation Team (SIT). This was set up by the state administration to probe the incident. And not to carry out investigation anymore handing over the case documents to the central agency. The court also instructed the state to hand over the accused charged in the case till date to the CBI.

The Political Arson of Birbhum violence

On the night of March 21, there was violence and arson in Baktui village of Birbhum district of West Bengal. Deputy President Bhadu Sheikh was associated with the ruling party Trinamool Congress. However, after his assassination, some disturbing elements set fire to about a dozen houses in Baktui village.

Conclusively, this act of violence has led a death toll of 8, including 6 women and 2 children. Taking suo motu cognizance of the incident, the High Court had summoned a detailed report within 24 hours. Lest, it also ordered the Delhi CFSL team to collect necessary samples from the spot for forensic examination.

After visiting Baktui village, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday that appropriate action would be taken against those who spread violence, irrespective of the political party they belong to. In his address after virtually inaugurating the newly constructed Vipulvi Bharat gallery at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, Prime Minister Modi said, “I express my grief over this violent incident. I express my condolences on behalf of the central government. And assure the state that whatever help it wants will be provided to the criminals to get them punished at the earliest. I hope that the state government will definitely get those who commit such heinous sins punished on the great land of Bengal.”