The Madan Tamang murder case has come to haunt the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leadership with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday approaching the Chief Judge of the City Sessions Court seeking non-bailable arrest warrants (NBW) against GJM president Bimal Gurung and 21 others.
During the day the Court of Chief Judge, City Sessions Court Kolkata, heard the Madan Tamang murder case where charges were being framed against the accused. Of the 54 accused in the case, four have died, while two others are absconding. Of the 48 remaining accused, 26 were present in court but 22 others, including Mr. Gurung, were not.
Pointing out that the charges in the case could not be framed unless all accused were present, CBI counsel Arun Bhagat urged the court to issue arrest warrants against Mr. Gurung and others.
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed that hearing on framing of charges in the murder case be completed by August 17 in the Court of Chief Judge, City Sessions Court.
The matter will come up for hearing on Tuesday.
All India Gorkha League leader Madan Tamang was killed in Darjeeling in May 2010.
TV channel shut
Meanwhile, in another development related to the ongoing imbroglio in Darjeeling, police have sealed the Siliguri office of the ABN News Network, a Nepali TV channel operating in the district. Internet services have been suspended in the hills over the past one month.
The police action follows the channel’s coverage of a pro-Gorkhaland rally in which participants carried khukris. According to the police, an FIR was registered on the basis of a complaint that the channel was airing news that can promote enmity between two groups.
Bijay Chamling, the channel’s chief managing director, said its coverage was neutral and it will be back on air soon. Darjeeling MP S.S. Ahluwalia was among those who criticised the West Bengal government for the development.
