The Calcutta High Court on Friday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the killings in Birbhum’s Bogtui village, where eight people were burnt alive earlier this week.
High Court also directed the state government “to extend full cooperation to CBI in carrying out the further investigation”.
The central agency has been told to submit its preliminary findings on April 7, when the matter will be heard again.
The court also told the state to hand over the accused arrested to date in the case to the CBI.
The court said: “We are of the opinion that facts and circumstances of the case demand that in the interest of justice and to instil confidence in the society and to have fair investigation to dig out the truth it is necessary to hand over the investigation to the CBI. Accordingly, we direct the State Government to forthwith hand over the investigation of the case to CBI. We also direct the State authorities to extend full cooperation to CBI in carrying out the further investigation. In view of this order, the State police authorities or SIT formed by the State will not carry any further investigation in the matter from the time the same is handed over to CBI.”
Advocate and BJP leader Priyanka Tibrewal appeared as a petitioner in person seeking a fair investigation while the state government has not yet responded to the court order.
Eight people, including two children, were charred to death in Bogtui in Birbhum’s Rampurhat block Tuesday following the murder of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) panchayat official.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was set up by the state government to probe the incident and the SIT has so far arrested 22 people.
 to probe the killings in Birbhum’s Bogtui village, where eight people were burnt alive earlier this week.){kind=link}