The CBI on Tuesday quizzed Tridip Pramanik, the suspended inspector-in-charge of Rampurhat police station, on allegations that he had not responded as sharply as he should have on the night of March 21 after Bhadhu Sheikh’s murder and the subsequent carnage at Bogtui village near here.
The questioning comes within hours of Sheikhlal Sheikh, husband of the Nazima Bibi, alleging a part of Bhadu’s earnings would reach the inspector in charge of Rampurhat police station, along with several other political leaders, in the Birbhum district.
Nazima had succumbed to her burns on Monday at the Rampurhat Medical College and Hospital and Sheikhlal’s outbursts had come soon thereafter.
Sources said Pramanik was quizzed to know the timeline of the incidents since the news of Bhadu Sheikh’s murder had reached him and what he had done after that.
The CBI also wanted to know about the exact time when he had come to know about the incident and whether he had informed his superiors or not.
“The statement of the IC is very important as from Day One, the role of him, along with the former subdivisional police officer, Sayan Ahmed, was questioned. He has been asked several questions regarding his duties and how the incident took place. The statement of Pramanik would be tallied with that of the SDPO who was quizzed on Monday,” said a CBI source.
Pramanik entered the CBI camp office near here around 10.30 am and left after 4.30 pm.
CBI officials suspect that a large number of people went to Bogtui from the Rampurhat Medical College and Hospital on March 21 after the confirmation of Bhadu's death and they have been trying to get some details of the assembly at the hospital and its movements thereafter. .
“They want to tally the CCTV footage of the police station and hospital to know whether the mob went to Bogtui from the hospital,” said a source.
Apart from Pramanik, the CBI sleuths had also brought in Mihilal Sheikh on Tuesday and questioned him in presence of Anarul Hossain — the former Trinamul block president — to know about his role and whether he did not respond to the calls to the victim’s family despite repeated appeals. Mihilal’s brother Sheikhlal was also interrogated on Tuesday.
He was questioned at the CBI camp office to know what actually happened on the night and the role of Anarul in this connection.
“We had contacted Anarul several times and sought his help to save us. However, he did not respond. If he responded, this carnage would not have happened," said Sheikhlal Sheikh on Tuesday morning.
In the meanwhile, Birbhum district magistrate Bidhan Ray along with other district officials on Tuesday visited the homes of a dozen higher secondary examinees of Bogtui village to extend moral support. The officials offered pen and chocolate to the examinees and requested them to concentrate on their studies as the board examination is round the corner, from April 2 to April 27.
“I can’t concentrate on my studies fearing further attack. There are so many police personnel roaming in the village..However I am feeling secure after you (DM) came to our home," said Ruksona Khatun, an examinee.
Ray said the local BDO and SDO would be in touch with all the examinees till their examination is over.
“We have provided the phone number of the local BDO so that they can communicate with her in case they need some help,” said the district magistrate.
