'Authorities Have Woken Up': Calcutta High Court Dismisses Plea Seeking CBI Probe In Fake Vaccination Camp Case

The Calcutta High Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe in the case of fake COVID-19 vaccination camps, allegedly conducted by accused Debanjan Deb. The accused had allegedly been operating Covid-19 vaccination camps in Kolkata by masquerading himself as an IAS officer associated with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Arijit Banerjee vide earlier order dated June 30 had directed the State government to file a detailed affidavit apprising the Court on the progress of the investigation.

On Friday, the Bench comprising Justices IP Mukerji and Aniruddha Roy opined that from June 22, the concerned authorities had "woken up" and accordingly observed, 

"The above enquiry does not show that there is any deficiency in the conduct of this investigation that should compel the court to order investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation". 

In the report filed by the State government, it was mentioned that an Anti-Cheating Special Team consisting of 17 members of the Detective Department is currently investigating the alleged offence, under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Detective Department. Further, the State government apprised the Court that the accused has been in police custody since June 23 and would subsequently be remanded to juridical custody. 

Acknowledging the importance of the instant case considering the public interest involved the Court observed, 

"It is true, that an offence of this type has rarely been seen. It is astonishing how a person could impersonate as an IAS officer and a high official of KMC, and operate a bank account, in its name for a significant length of time, conduct vaccination drives and other activities without being detected. Debanjan Deb along with his collaborators have been able to deceive a large section of innocent people, lure them to take vaccination from him at serious risk to their lives."

However, the Court opined that the State investigative agencies have been carrying out meticulous investigation as a result of which external interference by the CBI is unwarranted. Steps had been taken to promptly apprehend the accused and make a detailed enquiry into the alleged offences. 

The Court further placed reliance on the Supreme Court judgement in Subrata Chattoraj v. Union of India & Ors. wherein it was held that an order for enquiry or investigation by the CBI has to be sparingly made.

Accordingly, the Court dismissed the petition by reserving the right to order an investigation by the CBI in the future in case such a need arises.  

"Whether investigation by the said agency would be necessitated in future. It would only depend upon the conclusion of this investigation, the result of it and the subsequent steps taken by the prosecution further to it. If and when such occasion arises, the petitioner or any public-spirited person may move us, by a fresh application", the order read. 

Case Title: Tarunjyoti Tewari v. Union of India & Ors.

Click Here To Read/Download Order