BJP seeks CBI probe in Nandigram TMC worker murder, Calcutta HC orders review of case

BJP workers from Nandigram, East Midnapore, have filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court, requesting a CBI investigation into the murder of Bishnupad Mandal, a relative of Trinamool Congress worker Gurupad Mandal. The incident occurred on December 8, when an alleged attack took place at Gurupad Mandal’s house, resulting in Bishnupad Mandal’s death. Following the incident, two FIRs were lodged at the Nandigram police station, naming several individuals in connection with the attack. The petitioners argue that they do not trust the state police to conduct a fair investigation and have therefore sought the involvement of the CBI.

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, who is hearing the case, directed the Nandigram police to produce the case diary for the court’s review. The next hearing is scheduled for Monday. During the hearing, Justice Ghosh questioned how the accused could request a change in the investigating agency, particularly as the issue at hand relates to the ongoing investigation by the state police.

One of the accused, Abhijit Maity, has raised concerns about the filing of two FIRs for the same incident. The first FIR named four individuals, but according to Maity’s defense, political pressure from Trinamool Congress led to the expansion of the FIR, which later included the names of 26 individuals. Maity’s legal team contends that this change in the number of accused persons was politically motivated, raising questions about the fairness of the investigation and the legitimacy of the charges.