Calcutta High Court flags ‘political clout’ in 13-year-old’s murder, orders SIT to take over after ‘half

Calcutta High Court news: Flagging allegations that the father of the main accused in the case was a local political leader with influence over the investigation, theCalcutta High Courthas directed the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to reinvestigate the 2024 murder of a 13-year-old girl inWest Bengal’sMurshidabad district, saying the existing probe left “serious lacunae”.

JusticeJay Senguptadirected the constitution of a five-member SIT drawn from the state police, headed by senior IPS officer Dr Pranav Kumar, to conduct furtherinvestigationand submit additional reports before the trial court.

The court also said the probe appeared incomplete and raised concerns, particularly in light ofallegationsthat the father of the principal accused was a politically influential local leader, which could have affected the investigation.

“Such inchoate and half-hearted investigation goes to the root of the matter and could severely prejudice the cause of justice.

It does not at all inspire confidence,” thecourtsaid on March 12.

Vineet Upadhyay is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, where he leads specialized coverage of the Indian judicial system.

Specialized Legal Authority: Vineet has spent the better part of his career analyzing the intricacies of the law.

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