Calcutta HC orders CBI probe into 2011 murder of TMC’s Tapan Dutta – India Today

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder of Trinamool Congress leader Tapan Dutta, 11 years after he was killed in Howrah. He was shot dead in 2011.

A bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha ordered the probe after Dutta’s wife moved the court seeking justice. Tapan Dutta was an activist and leader of the ruling TMC and he was spearheading a movement against illegal filling of wetlands in Bally.

He was shot dead on May 6, 2011 and his family had accused several TMC leaders, including a state minister, of plotting to kill Dutta. The state government had ordered a Crime Investigation Department (CID) probe into the matter.

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However, the high court on Thursday ruled that the CID probe was “perfunctory” and that the petitioner’s contentions and apprehensions had been justified. The West Bengal CID has now been asked to hand over all the documents and evidence related to the case to the central agency.

“The state agencies have clearly failed to effectively investigate the crime and arrest the actual culprits. There is thus, an urgent and immediate need to instil public faith in the investigation and trial, which provides sufficient incentive for a change in the investigation agency,” the court added.

The high court order also said that the prosecutors in the case had failed in adequately discharging their duties. Therefore, there was a need to change the prosecution or prosecution agency to ensure that the truth emerges in the matter. It also added that the prosecution must be kept away from the reach of any state or political influence in view of the likely involvement of powerful and politically influential persons.

The CBI has been asked to complete the probe in six months.

This case is a fresh addition to the ever-growing list of cases being handed over to the CBI by the Calcutta High Court.