Egra blast case: HC dismisses Suvendu Adhikari’s plea for NIA probe, deployment of central forces

The division bench of the Calcutta High Court led by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam also asked the CID to submit a report on the investigation by June 12.

The court also asked the CID to decide whether a case can be initiated under the Explosives Act. (FILE)

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The Calcutta High Court Thursday dismissed Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari’s plea for a National Investigation Agency-led probe into the Egra blast case and directed the West Bengal Police’s CID team to continue its investigation.

The court also asked the CID to decide whether a case can be initiated under the Explosives Act. The division bench led by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam further directed the CID to submit a report before it by June 12 when the matter will be heard again.

On Tuesday, an explosion took place at an illegal firecracker factory in Khadikul village under Egra police station around 11 am. Nine people were killed while several others were injured in the explosion. Adhikari had moved the court on Wednesday.

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According to the police, the factory was operating illegally although the owner was arrested last year and a chargesheet was filed against him.

The court Tuesday also refused to entertain Adkhikari’s demand to deploy central forces in the village to maintain law and order. It, however, directed the state police to deploy additional personnel.

The CM had announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2.5 lakh to each of the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the injured. The West Bengal Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated a probe and a bomb squad team has also investigated the blast site.

Meanwhile, the CID Thursday arrested one of the accused of the blast case and identified him as Krishnapada Bagh alias Bhanu Bagh.

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