The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday rejected a prayer by Lalgarh Trinamul Congress leader Chhatradhar Mahato to quash a probe against him by the National Investigation Agency in a case related to the anti-land acquisition movement in 2009.

Although Mahato had already obtained bail in the case registered at the Lalgarh police station in Jhargram district, the NIA started its own investigation through an order issued by the central government on March 30.

Moving the petition on behalf of Mahato, advocate Neil Basu claimed before the high court that since his client had already been granted bail in the case, the NIA should not be allowed to initiate a fresh investigation.

The Centre’s counsel said the court should ask the Bengal government to hand over case records lying with the state police to the NIA.

After hearing both the sides, Justice Debangsu Basak held that the NIA should be allowed to proceed with its probe.

Mahato’s counsel told the court that it would not be possible for his client to go to Calcutta for the probe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Justice Basak said the NIA would conduct the probe at Salboni in West Midnapore and it should be completed within four weeks.

Mahato’s lawyer assured the court that his client would co-operate with the NIA probe.

Mahato was the face of the anti-land acquisition movement that allegedly enjoyed the tacit support of Maoists.