Kolkata Police will not hold a joint probe with the Air Force into the Red Road hit-and-run case here in which a young IAF officer was killed.
A senior Kolkata Police officer told PTI today "There is no question of any joint probe ... Our investigation is a continuous process and we are doing it."
"I have no information that Defence wants joint probe ... We have not received any such communication from them. But we are in constant touch with them from the very first day of the incident. And the developments are communicated to them everyday," he said.
Kolkata Police would, however, continue to support Air Force officials with the progress of their investigations into the January 13 hit-and-run case which claimed the life of the 21-year-old Air Force officer, he said.
Asked whether Air Force officials were conducting a parallel investigation into the incident, the officer said "We (Kolkata Police) have not been informed about it ... Actually they can and we will not intervene in it. They (Air Force) have lost an officer in the mishap and they have the right to hold an inquiry."
Kolkata Police and Air Force, he said, were "exchanging support" on the investigation. "We are getting full support from them and if they need we are ready to help them in their inquiry into the matter," he said.
When contacted by PTI, Air Force officials said Kolkata Police has turned down a request from them seeking a joint investigation in the case.
"It has been conveyed verbally to Air Force police that there are no legal provisions for a joint probe into the case," Air Force officials said.
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The Joint Commissioner of Police, Crime, responded in writing to Air Force's request for a joint investigation into the case saying that one officer may be deputed to keep close coordination with it but is silent on the joint probe, Air Force officials said.
The Air Force is also awaiting response to their letter for list of evidences.
However, it has been conveyed verbally by police that whatever evidence it is possible to share will be shared with the Air Force to enable the Court of Inquiry, they said.
"We can say that the aims of both Kolkata Police and Air Force are in conformity with each other and that both are keen to ensure faster progress in the case hereon," an Air Force official said.
Three persons - accused Sambia Sohrab, Sonu alias Shahnawaz Khan and Johnny were arrested by Kolkata Police for their involvement in the case.
They been booked under IPC sections 120(B)(criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 212 (harbouring offender) and 427 (mischief causing damage).
A look out notice was also issued by a city court for Mohammed Sohrab, former RJD MLA and father of Sambia Sohrab and his elder son Ambia.
Incidentally, a city court has fixed February 4 as the date for the test identification parade (TIP) of the three accused to identify the driver of the Audi that broke three guard rails before speeding to the Republic Day parade rehearsal venue and hitting Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud.
