Bengal post-poll violence: CBI arrests 7 in murder case of BJP activist

Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the West Bengal post-poll violence cases on Sunday arrested seven persons in connection with the murder of BJP activist Haradhan Roy on May 3, 2021, sources said.

After a Calcutta High Court order, the federal probe agency filed an FIR (First Information Report) on August 27, 2021, in the brutal killing of Haradhan Roy in Bengal's Coochbehar.

CBI sources said the agency had recorded statements of Haradhan Roy's family members and recreated the crime scene. After getting evidence in the case, seven people were arrested on charges of killing Roy. In another case, the CBI arrested four suspects on Saturday.

The four people arrested on Saturday were taken into custody for the alleged murder of TMC supporter Sahinur Ahmad in Cooch Behar's Tufanganj area. Ahmad and his friend were allegedly assaulted by BJP supporters following the declaration of the election results and later succumbed to his wounds.

The agency has filed four charge sheets in different courts in connection with the incidents that took place in Nalhati and Rampurhat in Birhum district and Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas. A seven-member committee set up by the NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) had earlier probed into the violence that took place after TMC's victory in West Bengal and had suggested a court-monitored CBI probe.

Since the Calcutta High Court last month ordered the CBI to investigate cases of heinous crimes reported during the alleged post-poll violence, the agency has registered 34 FIRs and four charge sheets.