Manna’s role in Rizwanur probe was ‘disputed’

Manna was the first to spot Rizwanur’s body on tracks on September 21,2007and the inquest report had been reportedly prepared by an assistant sub-inspector of Dum

Dum GRP under his supervision. Manna was also one of the key witnesses listed by the CBI in its charge-sheet.

The “dispute”,as mentioned by the Rehman family’s counsel,related to Rizwanur’s age. During the hearing in the Calcutta High Court on April 2,2008,advocate Kalyan Banerjee,the counsel for the Rehman family,had pointed out that a ticket attached to Rizwanur’s body mentioned his age as 58. The inquest report,however,put Rizwanur’s age at 42 years while he was actually 29 at the time of his death.

Banerjee also contended that the GRP had not carried out the inquest proceedings in accordance with the law. While a state government’s affidavit filed in the court said the inquest report was prepared by an ASI,Banerjee argued at least a magistrate should have been present while the inquest was being done.

The counsel had also said the Dum Dum GRP had not taken any photograph of the body at the spot and that no witness had signed relevant papers before the body was removed. Filling up “Form-48” is mandatory for the police during an inquest,Banerjee said.

The CBI had submitted the inquest report along with the charge-sheet in the Sessions Court and when the matter of “dispute” in the inquest report comes up for hearing,Manna’s role is likely to come under scanner,sources said.