Tamang murder case: SC shifts trial to Kolkata

Tamang,who was president of the All India Gorkha League,was killed on May 21,2010,in Darjeeling,allegedly by a group of about 400 supporters of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha,when he was overseeing preparations for a public meeting.

Issuing directives on a petition by Tamang’s wife Bharti,the Bench directed CBI to file a copy of its comprehensive probe report before the court for passing further directions.

In its order,the Bench pulled up the state police as well as the CBI for their “total lack of seriousness” as demonstrated by the fact that many of the accused roamed freely between May 2010 and February 2013 — when the SC issued notices in the matter.

“The submission that the murder took place due to political rivalry cannot be a ground for anyone,much less the investigation agency to display any slackness or lethargic attitude in the process of investigation. Whether it be due to political rivalry or personal vengeance or for that matter for any other motive,a murder takes place,it is the responsibility of the police to come up to the expectation of the public at large and display that no stone will remain unturned to book the culprits and bring them for trial,” said the Bench.

Bharti,in her petition,had sought a fresh investigation by a court-appointed special investigation team,claiming the investigation by the state police and the CBI were “tainted,biased and mala fide”.