Calcutta HC questions Bidhannagar Police: FIR on stolen car an 'eye-wash' to save themselves

The Calcutta High Court has raised serious concerns over the theft of a vehicle from the Baguiati Police Station in Bidhannagar, prompting an inquiry into the handling of the case by local police. The vehicle, which had been seized by the police in 2017, was parked within the police station’s premises. However, the car was reported missing several years later, and the police filed an FIR regarding the theft in 2022. The gap between the incident and the FIR raised alarms within the court.

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, in his observations, expressed skepticism about the police’s actions, remarking that the FIR appeared to be a mere "eye-wash" to shield the department from scrutiny. He questioned how a vehicle could disappear from a police station without any accountability. The judge also pointed out that similar incidents had been reported in other areas under the same Commissionerate, including New Town and Rajarhat, where vehicles had also gone missing from police custody. He emphasized that such incidents are highly unusual, particularly in police stations, and the case raised questions about the overall security and management of seized property in the region.

As part of the court's directive, Justice Ghosh ordered the Bidhannagar Police Commissioner to submit a detailed report by December 12. The report must include an explanation of how the car was stolen, the roles of the officers on duty at the time, and any security lapses within the station. Additionally, the Commissioner was instructed to list all officers who served as the Station House Officer (SHO) or Investigating Officers (IO) at Baguiati Police Station from 2017 to 2022. The court further directed that departmental actions be initiated against the officers involved, based on the findings. The Police Commissioner has been given the responsibility to ensure that the report is submitted promptly, addressing all aspects of the incident.