Kolkata, February 5: The accused in the Murshidabad district violence case in West Bengal’s Beldanga were not presented in court on Thursday. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has raised concerns regarding the state police’s handling of the situation.
The NIA informed the court that it had not yet received the case diary related to the incident. Expressing frustration, the judge ordered that the accused must be presented in court on February 12 under all circumstances.
Additionally, the court mandated that the investigating officer from the state police must personally appear to explain the reasons for the delay. The Superintendent of Police (SP) of Murshidabad has also been instructed to submit a detailed report to the court regarding the case.
During the hearing on Thursday, the accused were not brought to court. They are currently in judicial custody in Murshidabad. The NIA argued that the jail superintendent reported that the accused could not be transported to Kolkata due to the unavailability of police escort. The NIA had previously notified the jail administration to ensure the safe transport of the accused to court.
Following this, the jail administration requested an escort from the state police. However, the jail superintendent later informed the agency that the SP had expressed an inability to arrange a vehicle and escort. This was the reason for the absence of the accused in court.
The NIA also stated that proceeding with the investigation without the case diary is not feasible. In response, the court took a firm stance, demanding a detailed report from the Murshidabad SP and directing the investigating officer to appear in person. The judge clearly stated that the presentation of the accused must be ensured on February 12, along with the availability of police escort.
It is noteworthy that tensions escalated in Beldanga following the death of migrant worker Alauddin Sheikh from Murshidabad in Jharkhand last month. When Alauddin’s body returned to his village on January 16, locals took to the streets.
Protests erupted against the deaths of West Bengal’s migrant workers in other states. Angry residents blocked national highways, burned tires, and staged vigorous demonstrations. Train services on the Sealdah-Lalgola route were also disrupted during this time.
On the same day, a female journalist was attacked in Beldanga. Although police managed to control the protests on the first day, tensions resurfaced in the area the following day.
The police later claimed in court that the protests on the first day were somewhat spontaneous, while the violence on the second day was premeditated. A total of 36 individuals, including an AIMIM leader, have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Previously, the High Court stated that if the central government wished, the investigation into the Beldanga violence could be conducted by the NIA. The state government could also request additional forces from the center if necessary to maintain law and order.
Following this, the Ministry of Home Affairs assigned the investigation to the NIA.