HC directs CBI to file Rizwanur chargesheet

KOLKATA: The Calcutta high court on Thursday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a chargesheet against all the seven people accused of abetting graphics designer Rizwanur Rahman’s suicide. The high court has, however, reserved the final verdict in this regard for two more weeks.

The seven accused in this regard are Rizwanur’s father-in-law industrialist Ashoke Todi, his wife Priyanka’s uncle Pradip Todi, relative Anil Saraogi, the-then deputy commissioner (headquarters), Gyanwant Singh, the-then DC (detective department),
Ajay Kumar, the-then assistant commissioner (anti-rowdy squad) Sukanti Chakrabarty and the-then sub-inspector (ARS) Krishnendu Das. As per the court directive, CBI will now have to start criminal proceedings against the accused under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code, which relates to abetment to suicide.

The court also observed that in the meantime if the West Bengal government desires it can initiate departmental proceedings against the accused police officers. It also lambasted the-then police commissioner of Kolkata, Prasun Mukherjee for acting irresponsibly and in a biased manner in handling the issue. “The commissioner fuelled the fire instead of diffusing tension and police did not offer protection to Priyanka and Rizwanur when they went to ask for help,” it observed.
r_sumanta@dnaindia.net