Observing that investigation into the attack on Union Minister of State Nisith Pramanik’s convoy is not heading in right direction, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the matter.
“Thus, in the above circumstances of the case and considering the fact that the attack is on the convoy of Union Minister of State and the allegation is in respect of larger conspiracy to cause bodily harm to him, we are of the view that to ensure fair, unbiased and neutral investigation, it is necessary that the investigation is carried out by an independent agency,” a Division Bench of Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rai Chattopadhyay said.
The convoy of Mr. Pramanik was attacked in Coochbehar district on February 25 and the incident triggered a political war of words between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. The court also noted that the incident took place on February 25, 2023 and when on February 26 an officer of the CISF went to lodge a complaint, the police personnel of Coochbehar district refused.
“The incident is admitted and is of serious nature relating to the attack on car and convoy of MoS Union of India. Therefore, non-registration of complaint promptly supports the apprehension in the mind of the petitioner,” the order added. In the 11-page order the court also recorded an affidavit filed by the Coochbehar district police where it records that the intention of BJP supporters was to provoke Trinamool Congress supporters and create a law and order issue.
The petition was filed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who welcomed the order by the High Court. The order comes at a time when the Trinamool Congress government is battling a number of scams, including a recruitment scam which is being probed by Central agencies, including the CBI.
Panchayat polls
in connection with another petition filed by Mr. Adhikari, the same Division Bench refused to interfere in the panchayat election process in the State. The Opposition leader had approached the court over seat reservation criteria used for the 2023 local body polls.
The Bench held that any interference at this stage may lead to postponement of the panchayat elections.
