The Calcutta High Court on Friday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the violence that erupted in Bogtui village of West Bengal’s Birbhum district on March 22, following the death of Trinamool Congress-controlled Panchayat’s member Bhadu Sheikh.
The High Court, while rejecting the request made by the West Bengal government not to transfer probe, told the Mamata Banerjee-led dispensation to cooperate with CBI in the investigation.
The state government has already handed over and the report of investigation carried out by the state SIT, so far.
The ASG told the High Court that if the Court orders, it was ready to investigate the matter with either CBI or NIA.
Opposing the demand for NIA probe into the matter, the state government said it does not come under the NIA’s jurisdiction to investigate local issues.
The Court was apprised during the hearing that 31 CCTV cameras were installed in Bogtui village of Rampurhat Block, following its earlier order.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the Bhirbhum violence, the Calcutta High Court had conducted an urgent hearing for two days, after which, it had reserved its verdict on the matter.
Around eight people were burnt to death in Rampurhat Block of Birbhum on March 22, after a mob allegedly set houses on fire following the killing of Bhadu Sheikh, Deputy Chief of Trinamool Congres-controlled Barshal panchayat.
Shortly after the hospital confirmed the death of Sheikh, violence broke out in Rampurhat Block. A mob allegedly set afire 10-12 houses with the residents inside.
On her visit to Birbhum on Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had assured of strict action against the perpetrators of violence.