Calcutta High Court orders CBI Probe on Bhirbhum Violence, orders SIT to terminate Investigation

West Bengal: In what can be heralded as a prominent judicial vigor, the Calcutta High Court on Friday transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) the investigation into the violence in Birbhum district of West Bengal, in which eight people were burnt alive in retaliation to the murder of local All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Bhadu Sheikh. The recent Bhirbhum Violence in West Bengal triggered a massive outcry across the nation. A Bench comprising Chief Justice Prakash Srivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj said that “In the interest of justice and considering the circumstances of the instant case, the ongoing probe should be transferred to the CBI.”

The Bench ordered, “Having regard to the aforesaid we are of the opinion that facts and circumstances of the case demand that in the interest of justice and to instill confidence in the society and to have a fair investigation to dig out the truth it is necessary to hand over the investigation to the CBI. Accordingly, we direct the State Government to forthwith hand over the investigation of the case to CBI. We also direct the State authorities to extend full cooperation to CBI in carrying out the further investigation.”

The HC also ordered the SIT to stop the investigation. The Court ordered, “In view of this order the State police authorities or SIT formed by the State will not carry out any further investigation in the matter from the time he same is handed over to CBI. CBI will not only be handed over the case papers but also the accused and suspects who were arrested in the matter and in custody.”

The Court has asked the CBI to submit a Progress Report on the next date of hearing, which is scheduled on the 7th of April. Advocate General SN Mukherjee prayed for the stay on the order, which was declined by the court. The NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) also got involved and gave a suo-motu cognizance of the matter.