The National Investigation Agency (NIA) presented a preliminary report on the Beldanga riots to the Division Bench of Calcutta High Court Chief Justice, Sujoy Paul, and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen. The court will make a decision following the report examination. The next hearing is scheduled in two weeks, with the Calcutta High Court affirming no hindrance to the NIA’s probe into the Beldanga case.
Unrest unfolded in Murshidabad district’s Beldanga on January 16, triggered by the suspicious death of a migrant worker in Jharkhand, leading to allegations of murder against Alam Sheikh. This incident incited a blockade with locals protesting by obstructing the National Highway and railway tracks for approximately 30 hours. Subsequently, on January 17, the protests escalated into violence, resulting in the vandalism of railway property and assaults on journalists.
Following court orders, the NIA assumed control of the Beldanga investigation. Approximately 15 arrested individuals received bail from the NIA special court, prompting the NIA to challenge these bail grants in the Calcutta High Court. The court is set to address this issue alongside another case in two weeks, as per the Supreme Court’s directive on the applicability of the UAPA Section in the matter.
During a recent court session, Additional Solicitor General Ashok Chakraborty highlighted the absence of state representation due to a recent change in power. Consequently, the Chief Justice’s Division Bench decided to postpone the hearing for two weeks. Notably, the state has witnessed a political shift with the BJP assuming power from the Trinamool Congress after 15 years. The BJP’s victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections has led to the party’s impending government formation, with the BJP’s legal cell requesting three weeks to appoint a new state advocate general to avoid interim court orders involving state-related cases.
