Birbhum killings: CBI takes over probe after Calcutta HC order, visits Bogtui village

CBI deputy inspector general (DIG) Akhilesh Singh, who along with the team reached the nearby Rampurhat town on Friday night, said, “We have started our investigation. But we cannot say anything on the matter right now.”

Over a dozen agency sleuths visited the Rampurhat police station where two cases have been registered in Sheikh’s murder and the retaliatory attack. They collected details of the probe carried out by the police and the special investigation team (SIT) before the central agency was asked to take over the case.

The officials along with forensic experts stayed for hours inside the charred house from where seven bodies were recovered. They used a 3D scanner machine and collected samples from the house and other dwellings that were set afire.

The CBI on Friday registered an FIR under Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 147 (rioting) and others of the Indian Penal Code on the complaint of sub-inspector Dhruba Jyoti Dutta of the Rampurhat police station.

Twenty-one people have been named in the FIR.

A senior district police official said, “The CBI was handed over the post-mortem reports of the bodies but they may get fresh autopsies conducted.”

Later, the CBI DIG along with two other officials also went to the Rampurhat police station and held a meeting with inspector general of police (Western range) Bharatlal Meena and Birbhum superintendent of police Nagendra Tripathi.

Also, an agency team went to the Rampurhat court to prepare a case for an appeal to hand over the 22 suspects arrested by the police in the two FIRs. The CBI team is also likely to visit Batashpur where relatives and victims of the killings are staying to record their eyewitness accounts.

Mihilal Sheikh, who lost his eight relatives in the retaliatory incident, said, “We came to know that a CBI team will visit us. We will help them in every possible manner.”

The SIT has arrested 22 people, including TMC block president Anarul Sheikh, in the two FIRs. The houses which were burnt belonged to Mihilal Sheikh, Seklal Sheikh, Bani Sheikh, Neklal Sheikh, Minarul Sheikh, Sona Sheikh, Fatik Sheikh and Mobina Bibi,

Seven bodies charred beyond recognition were recovered from the house of Sona Sheikh. Of the four being treated at hospital, one succumbed to injuries.

Speaking to mediapersons, Congress state president Adhir Chowdhury said, “I thank the high court for ordering a CBI probe into the Bogtui massacre. The court should also ensure that the police cooperate with the agency.”

State Transport Ministet Firhad Hakim said, “The SIT was doing a good job and made several arrests. But now, some BJP leader from Delhi or leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari will be giving directions to the CBI.”

BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said, “I can not comment on the CBI probe. All I can say is that people of Bengal have no faith in the state police.”