Voicing dissatisfaction with the CID probe into the Netai firing, the Calcutta High Court today directed the West Bengal government to hand over to CBI, the investigation in to the January 7 incident, in which nine persons died.
A division bench, comprising Chief Justices J N Patel and Ashim Kumar Roy, directed the CID to hand over all documents relating to the investigation as well as the two accused, who were in its custody, to the central agency.
It also directed the CID to assist the CBI as and when required.
The bench, which will monitor the investigation, directed the CBI to furnish a progress report after 15 days when the matter will come up for hearing again. Earlier, the bench while allowing the CID to continue the probe had stated that if it found the CID wanting in course of investigation, it would keep its option open in handing over the case to the CBI.
The Calcutta High Court Bar Association, which had moved a PIL praying for a CBI investigation into the case, claimed that as the allegations were against the ruling CPI-M, an impartial inquiry could not be made by a state investigation agency.
Trinamool hails high court order on Netai killings
The Trinamool Congress today hailed the Calcutta High Court's order directing CBI to probe the gunning down of nine persons at Netai village, near Lalgarh, allegedly by CPI-M cadres on January 7. Trinamool MP Subhendu Adhikari told reporters that family members of the victims killed or injured in the firing had been praying for a CBI probe.
“The order has come as a great relief for the people of Netai who feel that there should be a CBI probe as an impartial inquiry was not possible by the CID since the allegation was against CPI-M cadres and leaders,” Adhikari said.
Besides, the CID falls under the Home Department looked after by the chief minister of the state, the Trinamool leader said. Alleging that armed cadres of the CPI-M had killed innocent villagers, he said it is expected that truth would come out in the CBI investigation.
