New Delhi: The Calcutta High court Friday ordered CBI investigation into Birbhum arson, and directed the investigating agency to file progress report by April 7, reported news agency PTI.
The SIT formed by the West Bengal government has been asked by the court to submit over the case papers and arrested people to CBI.
The move by the court comes after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed demanding an inquiry by a central agency. The case so far was being investigated by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the state government.
Eight people including two children were charred to death on Tuesday after a mob set houses on fire in the Bogtui village in Birbhum district, following the killing of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Bhadu Sheikh.
The Birbhum arson incident has created a political furor across the country. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition in the state has held Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party Trinamool Congress (TMC) responsible for the incident, and sought her resignation.
Denying the allegation, Mamata Banerjee Wednesday hit back at BJP and said that the incident was an attempt by the opposition party to defame her government.
"It was an attempt by the BJP, Left and the Congress to malign our government. Strict action will be taken against all those responsible for the Birbhum incident, irrespective of their (political) colour,” Mamata was quoted by news agency PTI.
The Chief Minister Thursday visited Bogtui village and met the family members of the deceased. She announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of the kin of the victims and handed over the cheque to the family members. She also said that Rs 2 lakh each for rebuilding the damaged houses and hose injured will be provided Rs 50,000 each.