The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday moved to the Calcutta High Court in connection with the FIR filed by West Bengal Police (Bhoopatinagar PS) against its officials.
Justice Jay Sengupta of the Calcutta High Court has allowed the NIA to file their petition, and the matter is expected to be held for discussion today.
Significantly, the NIA, in its plea, sought the quashing of an FIR registered against its officials over charges of assaulting the residents of Bhoopatinagar in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district. The NIA team had gone to West Bengal for a raid in connection with the agency’s probe into a Bhoopatinagar blast case.
Further, the anti-terror agency, in its plea, also called for interim protection for its officials against any coercive action being taken by the West Bengal police.
TMC vs NIA
It is pertinent to note that the tussle between the Trinamool Congress and the NIA seems to have no end in sight soon. The move by the NIA came merely days after the anti-probing agency sustained a 'vicious attack' by a mob of 150, which was further followed by an FIR filed against them by West Bengal Police over their (NIA's) action in the Bhoopatinagar blast case. The NIA has been booked on charges of theft and outraging the modesty of women.
Meanwhile, in light of an FIR filed, the NIA also issued a statement in which they categorically denied allegations of mala fide in its Bhoopatinagar blast case actions on April 7.
NIA, in its statement, said, "NIA made it clear that its actions were bona fide lawful and legally mandated as part of its ongoing investigation into the heinous crime related to the fabrication of a crude bomb, leading to an explosion that killed three persons in Naruabila village, PS Bhoopatinagar, district Purba Medinipur in West Bengal."
It further added that its team had come under violent attack by an unruly mob when they had gone to conduct searches in Naruabila village on Saturday in connection with its probe in said case. "The attack was completely unprovoked and uncalled for, and it was an attempt to obstruct the NIA from carrying out its lawful duties," the NIA added.
