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No need for CBI probe in Rahman case: Buddhadeb

KOLKATA: Justice will be done and action taken against those found responsible for the death of computer graphics teacher Rizwanur Rahman, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee reportedly told a delegation of Muslim leaders here on Thursday.

He asked the delegation to have faith in the government. He did not see any reason for an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation when the State’s Criminal Investigation Department was conducting a probe.

The demand for a CBI investigation was raised by certain members of the delegation, including Siddiquila Chowdhury, State general secretary of the Jamiat Ulem-e-Hind. “We told the Chief Minister that we do not have any faith in the CID,” Mr. Chowdhury told newspersons.

The Chief Minister reportedly pointed out that given the record of the CBI in certain cases, he had no reason to believe that it would do a better job.

The CID report is expected to be handed over to the government in a day or two, a senior official said.

An appeal by Rahman’s mother for a CBI probe is being heard by the Calcutta High Court.

The death of Rahman, whose body was found by the side of railway tracks near here on September 21, sparked a public outcry and questions have been raised about the involvement of IPS officials. He died weeks after his marriage to Priyanka, daughter of an influential businessman, reportedly against her family’s wishes.

At the meeting with the Chief Minister, some members of the delegation demanded the removal of police officials suspected to be involved in the incident.

Without committing himself on the issue, Mr. Bhattacharjee reportedly said they would not influence the course of the inquiries.

At a rally in the city, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee reiterated her demand for a CBI inquiry and ridiculed the government for failing to initiate any action against those behind it.

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