Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Friday transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the violence in Birbhum district of West Bengal, where 8 persons were bunt alive in retaliation to the murder of local All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Bhadu Sheikh.

The division bench comprising Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj transferred the case to the CBI. The court has taken a suo moto cognizance of the case.

Besides the suo moto case, certain public interest litigation (PILs) had also been filed before the Court seeking a CBI probe into the incident.

The Court explained that the order was made in the interest of justice, to instill confidence, and to have a fair investigation to dig out the truth.

"Accordingly, we direct the State Government to forthwith hand over the investigation to the CBI. We also direct State authorities to extend full cooperation to the CBI in carrying out investigation," the Bench stated in its order.

The Court further directed that the Special Investigation Team formed by State would not carry out any investigation in the matter once the case is handed over to the CBI.

The CBI was directed to take over the investigation and submit a progress report to the Court on April 7.

"We direct the CBI to forthwith take over the investigation and submit a progress report on the next date of hearing, list on 7 April," the chief justice bench directed.

The Court also turned down the request by the State to stay the order to enable it to file an appeal against the same.

Sheikh, a TMC leader and Vice President of Boroshal gram panchayat, was killed by some miscreants on March 21 at around 8:30 pm. His killing has led to a violent backlash in which around 10 to 12 houses were torched and at least 8 persons were burnt alive.

The State government has immediately constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the incident. However, petitions were filed before the Court alleging that the SIT has already given many contradictory statements on the issue and that it will only act as a "slave of the ruling party".

The Chief Justice bench while hearing the matter on Wednesday directed the West Bengal government to produce a case diary and report about the investigation into the violence before the court.

After taking into consideration the Advocate General's argument that the State's investigation should be considered and examined before taking a call on whether the probe should be transferred to the CBI or any other agency.

The state will immediately install CCTV cameras with DVR having sufficient memory covering all angles of the scene of occurrence and will do continuous recording until further orders. Cameras should be installed in the presence of District Judge, Purba Bardhaman district, chief justice bench ordered to the state government during its first hearing on Wednesday.

Before the court transferred the case to the CBI probe, the petitioners had submitted that the prime suspect has not been arrested yet. I have been informed that the CM said that if any other political leaders wish to visit the site, they can visit with the police. This can lead to the destruction of evidence," it was contended.

West Bengal | Central Bureau of Investigation's forensic team reaches Rampurhat.

Calcutta High Court today ordered CBI probe in the Birbhum violence case. pic.twitter.com/RW5q8PdpTD

— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2022