Alleged Murder Of Student Leader Anish Khan: Advocate Requests Calcutta HC To Initiate Suo Moto Proceedings

A petition has been filed before the Calcutta High Court on Monday seeking initiation of suo motu proceedings into the "mysterious" death of student leader Anish Khan at Amta in Howrah district, which led to widespread protests and demands for an investigation by an independent agency.

The concerned lawyer made an oral plea before Justice Rajasekhar Mantha praying for the intervention of the Court by initiating a suo motu motion in finding out the persons responsible for the death of Anish Khan. 

Justice Mantha subsequently directed the lawyer to appear before the Court with a written prayer. 

Student activist Anish Khan was found dead at his home in Amta block in Howrah district in the early hours of Saturday, February 19, 2022. Khan's murder has also sparked a large-scale students' protest at the Aliah University of Kolkata, where he was enrolled in an integrated five-year-long Master of Business Administration (MBA) Course. Khan also played a pivotal role in the 137-day-long protest by Aliah University students against the state government's policies.

Alleging that four persons had come to their house on Friday night donning police and civic volunteer uniforms, Khan's father has claimed that his son was pushed off the third floor of their house in Amta. Khan's family has been demanding a CBI investigation into the death.

It may be noted that reportedly West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said a special investigation team (SIT) would inquire into the alleged incident. "An SIT will be set up to investigate the death of student leader Anis Khan. The chief secretary and the director general of the criminal investigation department will be part of the SIT. It will submit its report within 15 days. Every death is unfortunate. Anis was a good man. He was in touch with us and had even helped us during the election. Whoever is responsible for this will be caught and punished under law. I don't condone such acts. No one will be spared," Banerjee said.