Murder Of Congress Councillor Tapan Kandu| Calcutta HC Takes On Record Police Report & Case Diary, To Consider If CBI Probe Is Needed On Next Date Of Hearing

The Calcutta High Court on Friday took on record a detailed report submitted by the Superintendent of Police, Purulia pertaining to the investigation into the death of former Congress councillor of Jhalda Municipality in Purulia, Tapan Kandu who was reportedly shot dead by miscreants on March 13. 

According to reports, Congress councillor Tapan Kandu and TMC's Anupam Dutta were shot dead on March 13 in separate incidents in Jhalda area of Purulia and Panihati in North 24 Parganas, respectively.

Some motorcycle-borne persons had reportedly shot Tapan dead when he had gone for a walk near his residence. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been constituted to probe the murder of Tapan Kandu with the help of the crime investigation department (CID).

Justice Rajasekhar Mantha was adjudicating upon a plea moved by the widow of the deceased Councillor seeking a CBI probe on the ground that no progress in the investigation has been made by the State investigating authorities.

The Court was informed on Friday that two persons have been arrested till date and that the SIT involving C.I.D., West Bengal has also joined the investigation and is overseeing the same. The Court also took on record the case diary and perused the same.

"A very detailed report has been submitted by the Superintendent of Police, Purulia and the same is taken on record. It appears that as on date two persons have been arrested. It further appears that Special Investigating Team involving C.I.D., West Bengal has also joined the investigation and is overseeing the same", the Court recorded in the order. 

The Court also took on record the case diary and perused the same. Thereafter, the case diary was returned back to the State with the direction to produce it before the Court again on the next date of hearing. 

On the last date of hearing, the Court had observed that it is prima facie of the opinion that the Jhalda police authorities have violated the decision of the Supreme Court in Lalita Kumari v. Govt. Of U.P. & Ors by refusing to prompt file an FIR against the concerned accused persons.

Opining that the Court would consider whether the investigation requires to be transferred to the CBI on the next date of hearing,  the Court observed, 

"The principal prayer of the petitioners for transfer of investigation from the State to the C.B.I. shall be considered on the adjourned date"

Accordingly, the matter for listed for further hearing on April 4 at 2pm. The Court however underscored that the investigation by the State authorities may continue in the meantime. 

Case Title: Purnima Kandu & Anr v. State of West Bengal

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