May 17, 2018: Barbaric murder case of young journalist Santanu Bhowmik was listed before the division bench of Chief Justice and Justice Arindam Lodh on May 16. Advocate general submitted that on March 17, 2018, notification was issued by the State govt wherein Governor was pleased to give his consent to extend S.6 of Delhi Special police Establishment Act in Tripura so far as investigation of Santanu’s case by CBI is concerned.
CBI counsel Prabir saha said that CBI did not have any information whatsoever in this regard. Central Govt. counsel remained silent. My submission was to keep this case alive since till date it is not sure whether the case would be investigated by CBI or not.
Since the earlier state govt. filed counter affidavit vehemently objecting CBI investigation. Also CBI in their counter affidavit submitted on January 28, 2018 stated that they were not willing to investigate the case since for three reasons – like, charge sheet has been submitted in this case, this case does not have any national or international ramification to call for CBI investigation and they are overburdened.
Accordingly division bench passed the order directing the CBI and state/central Govt. to inform the court on 4th July, 2018 as to is the status of State Govt’s request letter so far investigation of this case by CBI is concerned. (As received from PP)
