HC for CBI probe in Rizwanur's death

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the death of Rizwanur Rahman.

Allowing the petition filed by Rizwanur's mother Kishwar Jahan, Justice Soumitra Pal held: "Since she is the mother, she has every right to seek investigation into shocking death of her son by an independent agency. Therefore, it was a fit case for investigation by the CBI." The CBI has been asked to submit a report within two months.

"We thank everybody who stood beside us. We believe justice will be delivered," said Rizwanur's brother Rukbanur.

The judge did not buy the argument of state advocate general Balai Ray that the CID was already conducting an inquiry. "The CID inquiry was illegal," the judge said.

Roy said the state would not like to appeal against the CBI investigation, but may move court against the finding about the CID inquiry. Additional Inspector General of CID Bhupinder Singh said: "Whatever we did was legal."

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was away at a function in Purulia district. "I have come to inaugurate a steel plant. I won't comment on anything else," he said.

Non-CPI(M) Left Front leaders have welcomed the verdict.

There were scenes of jubilation outside the court premises. People shouted victory slogans, holding placards proclaiming, "We want Justice", "We want punishment for the police".

The judge also came down heavily on DCP (Headquarters) Gyanwant Singh, DCP Police (Detective Department) Ajoy Kumar, Assistant Commissioner (Anti Rowdy Section) Sukanti Chakraborty and Sub Inspector (ARS) Krishnendu Das. "Despite written information given by the couple about their marriage on August 31 to the Commissioner of Police and other police authorities, they were summoned to Lalbazar in a blatant violation of law," the judge said.

Indicting Commissioner of Police Prasun Mukherjee for his press statement guarding the police, the judge said: "The CP's statements were highly prejudicial to any investigation."