SC stays CBI probe on Nandigram firing

The Supreme Court today restrained CBI from initiating criminal proceedings in any court against West Bengal police officials for the March 14 police firing in Nandigram in which 14 persons were killed.

The court said that for the time being it was staying the Kolkata High Court order directing the investigating agency to initiate criminal proceedings against the police officials.

A bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said the inquiry by the investigating agency will continue as per the High Court direction.

The bench issued notices to the Association for Protection for Democratic Rights and other respondents on whose petition the High Court had passed its order.

The West Bengal government had challenged the November 16 order of the Calcutta High Court indicting it for the "unjustified" firing on innocent people in Nandigram on March 14.