Tweak Mamata: CBI to probe post-poll violence in Bengal

Kolkata, Thursday 19 August 2021

Shocking Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Kolkata High Court on Thursday handed over the probe into post-election violence in West Bengal to the CBI. The High Court ordered that the CBI investigate only under the supervision of the court. The High Court further said that murder and rape cases would be investigated by the CBI, while other cases would be investigated by the SIT. The High Court said senior officers of the Bengal cadre would be part of the team for the SIT inquiry. Later that night, the CBI formed four special teams to investigate the case. Each team will have six members. The case will be investigated by a total of 25 officers.

On August 3, a five-member bench of the Calcutta High Court reserved its judgment on petitions relating to violence. The High Court also asked the parties concerned to submit any additional documents by the same day. The High Court also asked the state government whether any self-awareness was taken in the cases of overlapping in the final report of the NHRC submitted on July 13.

The Human Rights Commission recommended a CBI investigation

The Human Rights Commission's inquiry committee in its report blamed the Mamata Banerjee government. The commission said in its report that cases like rape and murder should be investigated by the CBI and these cases should be heard outside Bengal. On the other hand, other cases should be investigated by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). A fast track court should be set up to hear cases on relatives, special public prosecutors should be deployed and witnesses should be protected.

The commission constituted the panel on the orders of the High Court

The Human Rights Commission had set up a panel to probe allegations of post-poll violence following a High Court order.