A fresh flashpoint has emerged in the probe into the Beldanga unrest, with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) yet to receive the case diary from the Murshidabad police despite having commenced its investigation following a court directive.
Sources in the central agency said that an email had been sent to the district police seeking the case diary, but there has been no response so far. Allegations have also surfaced that no concrete steps have been taken to hand over the documents, which are considered crucial for the progress of the investigation. However, officials maintained that the court has directed submission of the case diary by 26 February, and therefore there is still time to comply with the order. The unrest in Beldanga in Murshidabad district erupted on 16 January following the death of a minority youth in neighbouring Jharkhand.
The incident triggered widespread protests, with agitated crowds blocking roads and railway tracks. Incidents of vandalism were reported. Tensions escalated further on 17 January, when national highways and railway lines were again obstructed. Journalists were allegedly assaulted, and large-scale damage to public property was reported. The police later brought the situation under control and arrested several individuals in connection with the violence. Subsequently, the Calcutta High Court directed the NIA to take over the investigation. The state government challenged the order before the Supreme Court of India, seeking a stay on the NIA probe.
However, during the hearing, the apex court declined to grant any interim stay on the investigation. The Supreme Court directed the NIA to submit a sealed report before a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court, clarifying whether there exists a prima facie case for invoking provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The Bench headed by the Chief Justice will independently examine the report and hear the state government’s plea.
In this backdrop, access to the case diary assumes significance for the NIA, particularly in producing the accused before the court and advancing the probe. During the last hearing, the judge reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over the delay and directed that the case diary be handed over to the NIA by 26 February.