CBI Arrests 7 More accused in Birbhum killing Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested seven more accused during the further investigation of a case related to the death of 10 persons at Village Bogtui, District Birbhum (West Bengal).

The arrested defendant was brought to the ACJM Court in Rampurhat (West Bengal) today and held in police custody for 10 days.

In accordance with the Hon’ble High Court of Calcutta’s orders dated March 25, 2022 regarding WPA 130, 124, 125, 126, 129, and 133 of 2022, the CBI filed the current case against 22 defendants and others on March 25, 2022, and has since taken over the investigation of FIR No. 169/2022, which was originally filed on March 22, 2022, at Police Station Rampurhat, District Birbhum (West Bengal) on a complaint According to the allegations, Shri Bhadu Shekh of Bogtui village and Upa Pradhan (Dy.Pradhan) of Barshal GP were both killed with bomb injuries at Bogtui Morh on NH-60 at approximately 20.30 hours on March 21, 2022. Following the occurrence, there was a lot of unrest surrounding the murder in Bogtui Morh on NH-60 and the nearby regions. Furthermore, it was claimed that the dead Bhadu Shekh’s adherents and allies ransacked rival organisations’ homes in the village of Bogtui and set them on fire with the intention of killing the occupants and members of their families. As a result, 7 (seven) people died from severe burn injuries, and 4 (four) other people also suffered severe burn injuries. It was impossible to determine the identities of the deceased. Out of the 04 (four) injured people, three died later. 21 suspects/accused were taken into custody by the State Police.

After taking over the case, the CBI dispatched a sizable team to Rampurhat, which included CFSL experts. The CFSL team gathered significant physical and biological data. The found dead bodies were fully burned and unrecognizably dead. The blood samples of the victims’ likely direct relatives, as well as the biological samples of these individuals as preserved during a post-mortem examination, were sent for DNA profiling. The identities of each of the seven victims were determined through DNA testing. CBI used scientific methods to gather enough evidence.

The community was nearly empty when the investigation began, and people were too afraid to come forward as witnesses. Many witnesses had sought refuge in other towns. Numerous witnesses came forward after persistent efforts, and their statements were recorded. It was discovered that two parties in the village had been at odds for a very long time. The late Bhadu SK headed one group, and a family member of one of the victims and others led the other group. The CBI had detained numerous suspects during the inquiry, including four from Mumbai.

On June 20, 2022, the CBI submitted a charge sheet to the competent court against 16 defendants and filed a report with the Court of Principal Magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board, Suri, Birbhum, about two Children in Conflict with the Law (CCL). Regarding the participation of other defendants and the existence of a bigger conspiracy, more research was being done.

The suspected involvement of these seven suspects in the case also came to light during the further inquiry. They were detained the day before.