Purulia case: Bleach may be released

CALCUTTA, DEC. 9. Peter Bleach, one of the main accused in the Purulia arms dropping case, may be absolved of charges and released as the Centre is scrutinising legalities following intense pressure from the British Government.

The Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Ajit Kumar Panja, told presspersons here today that the Law Ministry was studying a Supreme Court judgment and other legal aspects to find whether the British national could be let off.

Four Latvian nationals, who were co-accused in the case, have already been discharged.

``We are under very much pressure from the British Government to release Peter Bleach on the ground that he be treated equally with the other accused who have been released,'' Mr. Panja said.

The Minister said his British counterpart, Mr. Peter Haynes, during his recent visit to India, had raised the demand which was again followed up in a letter by the British Foreign Secretary.

The British Government had wanted to know whether there was any special charge against Peter Bleach and why he should not be treated at par with the Latvians since all of them were facing the same charges. It also pointed to a Supreme Court judgment which ruled for equal treatment to people, Mr. Panja said.

The British Government, however, had said it would not interfere in the Indian law and spell out any timing for the release, Mr. Panja said.

``Bleach may or may not be released. It all depends on whether the legal nuances permit him a safe passage,'' he said. He also said the Government was not in a hurry to complete the process of examination as there was no timing fixed by the British Government to release Bleach.

- UNI

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