CBI setback in post-poll violence case: Calcutta HC grants bail to two arrested cops

The Calcutta High Court granted conditional bail to Sub-Inspector Ratna Sarkar and Home Guard Dipankar Debnath, who were arrested by the CBI in connection with the post-poll violence case involving the death of BJP worker Abhijit Sarkar. Both had been in judicial custody since July 16. The case pertains to the alleged assault and killing of Sarkar in Kankurgachi on May 2, the day West Bengal Assembly election results were announced.

Justice Joy Sengupta, while granting bail, imposed several restrictions. The accused have been barred from entering the jurisdiction of Narkeldanga Police Station, where they were previously posted. They have also been prohibited from entering the tri-junction area near the residence of the deceased Abhijit Sarkar. The court directed them not to threaten any individual, tamper with any documents or evidence, or be absent during trial hearings.

The High Court strongly criticised the functioning of the lower CBI court in the matter. Justice Sengupta stated that the lower court failed to maintain judicial discipline by sending the two accused to jail when the High Court was already hearing a related plea filed by another accused in the same case. According to the High Court, the lower court should have held off on proceeding until the higher court completed its review.

The incident originally came under investigation by the Kolkata Police. However, following allegations of negligence and reports of attempts to destroy material evidence during the early stages of the probe, the case was transferred to the CBI. The central agency later arrested the two officers based on findings during its investigation into the post-election violence in West Bengal.