Calcutta HC Seeks State Gov's Response In PIL Seeking NIA Probe Into Crude Bomb Blasts In WB's Malda District Which Injured 5 School Children

The Calcutta High Court on Monday sought response from the State government in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition seeking a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the incident of crude bomb blast in West Bengal's Malda district last month. 

Five school children were reportedly injured after the crude bombs they were playing with, mistaking those for balls, exploded in Kaliachak's Gopalnagar village close to the India-Bangladesh border last month. 

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj was apprised by the counsel for the petitioner that the five school children have been critically injured in the incident. It was further averred that the incident falls within the category of a 'scheduled offence' under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 and thus a probe by the NIA was also sought.

Taking cognisance of the grievance raised, the Court directed the State government to file an affidavit-in-opposition pertaining to the plea within a period of 2 weeks. The matter is slated to be heard next on July 12. 

The Court further directed the petitioner to serve to the NIA a copy of the petition and implead the central agency in the instant proceedings. The petitioner was also ordered to inform the Central government authorities about the next date of hearing. 

According to reports, five people who are local residents have been interested in connection with the blast. Furthermore, apex child rights body National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has also asked the West Bengal authorities to give specialised medical treatment to the four children who sustained injuries in the crude bomb blast. In a letter to the West Bengal Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, the NCPCR has asked them to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident and submit a report within 10 days.

It may be noted that recently the High Court has ordered the transfer of investigation into explosions in Birbhum district to the NIA from the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of State of West Bengal by holding that the central agency has precedence in the investigation of scheduled offence.

Case Title: Arijit Majumdar v. State of West Bengal