On Friday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) wrote to the West Bengal Director General of police seeking details of all cases of murder, attempts to murder and rape reported during post-poll violence in the state.
According to sources, the letter has been sent to state police DGP Shri Virendra and CBI has sought the details of such cases from the Director General of police in line with a Calcutta High Court order that directed the agency to take over cases related to post-poll violence.
The CBI also wanted to know in detail whether the state administration had taken any action in the wake of the post-election violence. All the information— as to how many arrests have been made, how far the investigation of the case has progressed— has been sought by the agency. The investigating agency also wanted to see a copy of the FIRs filed in connection with the violence. Are those who have been arrested on the basis of the allegations now free, or imprisoned? The investigating agency wanted to know. It has also been said that the state should respond as soon as possible.
According to sources, the report of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will be matched with the report of the police, for further confirmation. The NHRC report reported at least 56 allegations of murder and rape. The CBI will look into whether any FIR was lodged at all in the light of that allegation, and what steps have been taken. Then CBI will file a case, sources said.
According to sources, the CBI may start the investigation next week by forming four special investigation teams (SIT). Each team will be led by an officer with the rank of Joint Director. Officers of DIG and SP rank are also being kept in the SITs. SITs also comprise CBI officers from Lucknow, Patna, Delhi, and Dehradun. There will be eight officers in each of the four teams, and each team has one female officer of the SP rank.
The ruling Trinamool Congress is not happy at all that the investigation has been handed over to the CBI. But the BJP is seeing its victory. Dilip Ghosh said, “This time the victims will get justice. We hope the government will learn from this. We got what we wanted. ”
State Minister Shashi Panja, on the other hand, did not comment on the High Court’s verdict but recalled the Madras High Court’s verdict, which a couple of days ago referred to the CBI as a “caged parrot”.