Calcutta High Court today(on 5th April) orders NIA investigation into BJP activist’s death during pre-2023 election violence in West Bengal, prompting scrutiny of Trinamul Congress involvement.
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KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court today(on 5th April) took a step in the investigation into the death of a BJP activist in the violence that occurred before the 2023 panchayat elections in West Bengal. The court has directed the central government to hand over the investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The deceased activist, Bijay Krishna Mohanty, was allegedly attacked by ruling Trinamul Congress supporters in the Moyna area of East Midnapore district, where bombs and other weapons were used.
Prasenjit, the son of Bijay Krishna Mohanty, filed a petition requesting the transfer of the investigation from the state police to the NIA. He stated that his father, a dedicated BJP activist, lost his life in the violent attack. Recognizing the severity of the incident, the state government sent a report to the central government due to the involvement of bomb explosions, which is considered a scheduled offence under the NIA Act.
Justice Jay Sengupta, presiding over the case, has issued a directive to the central government to transfer the investigation to the NIA within 15 days. Additionally, the Union government has been instructed to submit a compliance report in the form of an affidavit by April 25.
Arun Kumar Mohanty, the counsel representing the NIA, has emphasized that the alleged bomb explosions during the violence classify this case as a scheduled offence under the National Investigation Agency Act. The court had previously granted a three-week extension to the central government to decide whether the NIA would handle the investigation, as requested by Prasenjit.
The Calcutta High Court’s decision to order a direct NIA investigation into the kidnapping and murder of BJP booth president Vijaykrishna Bhuiya in Maina, East Midnapore, demonstrates the court’s dissatisfaction with the Union Home Ministry’s role. The court questioned why its previous order had not been implemented, as it had already involved the NIA in the murder case. The court’s intervention in the case required permission from the Union Home Ministry for the NIA to take over the investigation. Surprisingly, despite the court order, the Union Home Ministry did not respond or provide any instructions regarding the NIA investigation.
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During the hearing before Justice Joy Sengupta, the Additional Solicitor General representing the Center informed the court that a letter had been sent to the Union Home Ministry, notifying them of the High Court’s order.
Unfortunately, no response was received. Expressing disappointment, the judge stated-
“It is unfortunate that the Union Home Ministry has shown no interest in implementing the High Court’s order.”
Consequently, the judge directly ordered an NIA investigation into the case. The High Court has set a deadline of 15 days for the NIA to assume control of the investigation. Furthermore, the National Investigation Agency must submit a report to the court by April 24, detailing the implementation of the court’s order.
Last year in May, Vijaykrishna Bhuiyan, the BJP booth committee president, was accused of being murdered by Trinamool-backed miscreants. According to the allegations, Vijaykrishna, who resided in the Goramahal area of Bakcha Panchayat, Maina, was brutally attacked and abducted by a group of miscreants while his wife and son were present. Vijay’s wife, Lakshmi, and his son, Surjit, also suffered injuries when they tried to intervene.
Tragically, Vijay’s lifeless body was discovered in a nearby pond. In response, Vijay’s wife filed a written complaint against 34 local Trinamool leaders and activists at the Maina police station. As a result, three individuals were arrested, including two grassroots workers who were residents of Goramhal village.
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The Calcutta High Court’s decision to transfer the investigation to the NIA brings hope for a thorough and impartial inquiry into the death of Bijay Krishna Mohanty and Vijaykrishna Bhuiyan.
