Date:26/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/26/stories/2007102662721900.htm

National

Rukwanur’s charge against Ashok Todi

Special Correspondent

Kolkata: Rizwanur Rahman’s family was “offered a blank cheque” by his father-in-law, Ashok Todi, on the condition that they prevail on the computer graphics teacher to leave his wife, Priyanka, Rahman’s elder brother, Rukwanur Rahman, said here on Thursday. That offer and subsequent ones were rejected, he said.

Priyanka is the daughter of Mr Todi, an influential city businessman. The latter is among those against whom a case of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code as well as Sections 506 and 120[B] have been registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation on the basis of a first information report filed by Rukwanur Rahman and his mother.

Rahman’s body was found lying by the side of the railway tracks near here on September 21, only weeks after his marriage to Priyanka. The Todi family was reportedly opposed to the marriage.

The CBI is investigating the death following an interim order of the Calcutta High Court directing it to do so.

Refuting allegations that his family had taken any money from Mr Todi, Rukwanur Rahman said, “my entire family says in one voice that there has been no money transaction.”

“From the very first day [since Rizwanur’s marriage] we are being offered money to separate the couple,” he said.

“Those suggesting otherwise are trying to conceal the truth from the CBI regarding the murder of Rizwanur…we cannot accept his death to be a case of suicide,” Rukwanur Rahman, asserted.

Accounts checked

CBI officials checked the bank accounts of members of the Rahman family during the day in the course of their investigations that began on October 20.

Priyanka, her mother and uncle and members of the Rahman family have already been questioned.

Rukwanur Rahman also blamed “the police and other external elements for delaying the process of justice.” “The CBI investigations are moving in the right and positive direction….the truth will definitely come out,” he said.

Rukwanur Rahman and his mother have also filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court challenging the legality of the State Government ordering a judicial inquiry into the case at a time when the Court had already ordered a CBI investigation into the death.

“The hearing on the petition is scheduled for November 1,” their counsel, Kalyan Banerjee said.