BJP MP Khagen Murmu attack: 5 held so far; PIL filed in High Court for NIA probe

BJP MP Khagen Murmu and MLA Shankar Ghosh were attacked by a mob on Monday when they  were visiting Nagrakata to distribute relief materials in flood-affected areas. Their convoy was pelted with stones, sticks, and shoes, and both leaders were reportedly heckled.

Murmu, who sustained critical injuries, is  admitted to a private hospital in Jalpaiguri. MLA Ghosh, who was also admitted in the same hospital was discharged on Wednesday.

The arrested individuals, all residents of Khayerbari in Nagrakata, have been identified as Etwa Oraon (40) alias Dharea, Govind Sharma (42), Akramul Haque, Sahanur Alam (30) alias Mannan, Tofayel Hossain (36) alias Milan.

Following the attack on  Monday, an FIR was registered against eight persons. Police confirmed that raids are on to apprehend other persons involved in the attack.

Meanwhile, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and another petition were filed before the Calcutta High Court on Thursday, seeking a probe by central agencies into the assault on Murmu and Ghosh.

Advocate Anindiya Sundor Das moved a PIL before the Calcutta High Court demanding an National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe and the inclusion of Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) sections, as Murmu belongs to the ST community. The plea also argued that since the incident occurred close to an international border, investigators should examine whether any “infiltrators” were involved.

The Calcutta High Court vacation bench of Justice Kausik Chanda and Justice Reetobrata Kumar Mitra allowed the matter to be filed, and it will be heard on October 14.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Advocate Das said, “We have asked for an NIA investigation into the matter as it has taken place in the border area. The court has allowed us to file the matter.”

Another separate petition was filed before the single bench of Justice Om Narayan Rai by BJP leader Bijon Goswami, alleging police inaction in the Nagrakata incident and also seeking a CBI and NIA probe.

Counsel Mayukh Mukherjee submitted in court that “the police were not performing their duty, they had not taken any steps. All CCTVs have to be taken and culprits have to be identified and arrested,” he said, pressing for NIA and CBI investigations.

The court has also allowed the petition to be filed, and it will also be heard on October 14.