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New Delhi: Officials on Tuesday said the CBI will conduct a region-wise probe into the post-poll violence cases in West Bengal, with each area being examined by a Joint Director-level officer to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged heinous crimes.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has deputed four teams to the state, which have been divided into four zones, to probe the cases of alleged rape and murder following the assembly election results announced on May 2. .
Officials said the central agency has sent an unprecedented force led by four joint directors, including several DIGs and 16 superintendents of police and investigators from across the country, who will be deployed in the four zones.
He said the teams have started the ground work in their areas as the CBI has sought details of all the cases of alleged rape and murder from the West Bengal DGP after the elections.
Following a report by the NHRC committee on July 13, a five-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court had ordered a CBI probe into the allegations.
Passing a unanimous decision on a batch of PILs seeking an independent probe into the incidents of alleged post-poll violence, in which the ruling TMC won an overwhelming majority, the bench asked the state police officers to investigate all other matters. also ordered the formation of an SIT. .
The SIT will include all IPS officers of West Bengal cadre Suman Bala Sahu, Soumen Mitra and Ranveer Kumar.
The bench will monitor the investigation of both the CBI and the SIT and asked both the agencies to submit a status report in the court within six weeks.
It said there are allegations of threatening the complainants to withdraw the cases and claiming several cases of murder as natural death without registration of FIR and investigation.
Noting that the West Bengal Police did not properly respond to the allegations of inaction and tried to downplay them, the bench said, “There is definitely a need for investigation by an independent agency.”
It said that three months have elapsed since the matter was taken up by the court, but “no coercive action has been taken by the State which could inspire confidence other than filing of affidavits and recording thousands of papers”.
read also: Calcutta HC orders CBI, SIT probe into post-poll violence in Bengal, Mamata govt may move SC
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