Cal HC asks Chhatradhar Mahato to appear before NIA thrice a week for murder case probe

calcutta high court law insider incalcutta high court law insider in

Sushree Mohanty

The Calcutta High Court has issued notifications to Chhatradhar Mahato, the former head of Maoist-led People’s’ Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA), to appear personally before the National Investigation Agency officer three times in a week for supposed association in a murder case.

Deciding upon a request documented by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for custodial cross examination of Mahato, a two judge bench involving Chief Justice TBN Radhakrishnan and Justice Arijit Banerjee stated that Mahato should appear personally at the investigating official’s office at Salt Lake on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The Court additionally said that if there is any attempt to violate or contradict the bearing, the Investigation Agency can notify the same to a lower court.

The court further said that if, on the off chance the lower court deems that additional steps must be taken, then it shall immediately take cognizance of the matter and permit the authorities to arrest him. Subsequently, the bench adjourned the matter for additional hearing at the High Court on April 20, 2021.

The National Investigation Agency had moved a petition before the High court testing the judgement of the special court which passed a restraint order on the police officials barring them to detain Mahato regarding the murder probe of a CPI (M) leader in 2009 at Lalgarh in the Jangalmahal area, which was formerly an exclusive Maoist controlled area.

The authorities had moved a request before the special court looking for orders for custodial cross examination of Mahato.
However, Mahato had neglected to appear personally before the Investigation Agency on various events referring to unreasonable grounds.

Related Post