Birbhum Violence: HC Orders Govt To Submit Status Report, Issues Directions To Protect Evidence

West Bengal Violence: The charred bodies of eight people, including two children, were recovered on Tuesday after a mob allegedly went on a rampage and set houses on fire in Rampurhat in West Bengal.

Police personnel near the houses that were set on fire in Birbhum (PTI)

New Delhi: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the West Bengal government to submit a status report on its investigation into the Birbhum violence where eight people were burnt alive allegedly in retaliation to a TMC leader's murder.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj also passed a slew of directions to ensure that evidence on the spot remained intact and witnesses were protected.

The High Court directed the installation of CCTV cameras in presence of the district judge and 24x7 CCTV surveillance of the spot.

READ | Home Ministry Seeks Report From Bengal Govt After 8 Charred Bodies Found In Birbhum

"A team from CFSL, Delhi is directed to visit the spot of incident and collect the necessary material for forensic examination without any delay," the court said.

"Director General of Police and Inspector General of Police in consultation with District Judge, Purba Bardhaman district, should ensure that witnesses are adequately protected and not threatened or influenced by anyone," the court further said.

The orders came after the Calcutta High Court took suo moto cognisance of the incident. Some petitions were also filed by certain individuals.

The petitioners have sought transfer of probe to the CBI, alleging that the SIT constituted by the government was not impartial.

The charred bodies of eight people, including two children, were recovered on Tuesday after a mob allegedly went on a rampage and set houses on fire with petrol bombs in Rampurhat's Bogtui village.

The killings were suspected to be in retaliation to the murder of Trinamool Congress panchayat leader Bhadu Sheikh the previous day.

The Bengal government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Additional Director General (CID) Gyanwant Singh, to probe the incident.

The Union home ministry has sought a detailed report on the incident from the Mamata Banerjee-led government.

At least 22 people have been arrested so far in connection with violence, PTI reported. Family members of Bhadu Sheikh have claimed that Sheikh's sons were among those arrested.