HC asks state govt to submit report of violence: Modi describes Birbhum killings as heinous, offers help in bringing perpetrators to justice

PM adds that he hopes state would take steps to bring culprits to justice quickly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi: File Picture

TT Bureau, PTI   |   New Delhi   |   23.03.22  : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, describing the killings in Birbhum a day before, as heinous , said the culprits should not be forgiven.

Speaking at a virtual event to inaugurate a gallery dedicated to freedom fighters at the Victoria Memorial here, Prime Minister Modi said the Central Government is willing to help the state in any way required in bringing perpetrators to justice.

He said he hoped the state would take steps to bring the culprits to justice quickly.

"I express my condolences over the violent incident in Birbhum district in West Bengal. I hope that the state government will definitely ensure that those who have committed such heinous crimes are punished," Modi said.

"I would also urge the people of Bengal to never forgive the perpetrators of such incidents, those who encourage such criminals. The centre would extend all sorts of help to the state government to ensure the culprits are booked," he said.

TMC leader and senior Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee reacting to the Prime Minister's offer of help in ensuring justice for the victims of the Birbhum killings said, The state government is duty-bound to ensure that the rule of law should take its course. The culprits will be hunted down and punished.

Modi's comments come on a day when the Calcutta High Court directed CFSL Delhi to immediately collect necessary materials for forensic examination at Bogtui village in Bengal's Birbhum district, where at least eight people were charred to death in the suspected fallout of a TMC panchayat official's murder.

The court asked the state government to file a report in the case before it by 2 pm on Thursday, when the matter will be taken up for hearing again.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava, taking up a suo motu petition and a set of PILs, ordered that CCTVs be installed at the crime scene in the presence of district judge, Purba Bardhaman, and recordings be done until further orders.

The bench, also comprising justice R Bharadwaj, directed a team of Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Delhi to visit the place of incident and collect samples for examination without any delay.

It asked the DGP to ensure safety of witnesses, including that of a minor boy injured in the arson, in consultation with the district judge, Purba Bardhaman.

The court observed that suo motu petition has been registered for fair investigation in the case.

The petitioners in the PILs have prayed for a probe by the CBI or by any other agency which is not controlled by the state.

Advocate general representing the government opposed the prayer, stating an SIT was probing the matter and that there was no need to transfer the case to any other agency.

At least 20 people have been arrested so far in connection with the violence in West Bengal's Birbhum district that claimed eight lives, a senior police officer said on Wednesday.

Eleven people were arrested the same day for their involvement in the incident.

"With nine more arrests, the number of those who have been nabbed in the case rose to 20. We are grilling them to find out if there were more people involved in the incident.

"Some accused seem to have fled the village. We are trying to trace them," the officer said.

CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said she will be going to violence-hit Birbhum district on Thursday to take stock of the situation. "Postponing my visit as other political parties huddling there," she said

"Not justifying Birbhum killings, but such incidents are more frequent in UP, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan," Mamata further said, adding that action against perpetrators will be taken irrespective of their political colours.