All About Bogtui Carnage Case

KEY TAKEAWAYS:-

• Analysis of the Bogtui Massacre till today.
• The family’s and political reactions on the death of the main accused of the event.
• The role of NHRC, CBI and Supreme Court.

INTRODUCTION:-

The 2022 Birbhum violence, also known as the Birbhum massacre, shook the peaceful village of Baktai (Bagtui, Bogtui) in Rampurhat, Birbhum, India on March 21, 2022. This gruesome event unfolded in the aftermath of the tragic death of Trinamool deputy chief Bhadu Sheikh. The incident left at least ten people dead, multiple houses in ruins, and raised significant concerns about the state of law and order in the region.

THE TRAGIC EVENT UNFOLDS:-

On the fateful evening of March 21, 2022, Bhadu Sheikh, the deputy leader of Barshal gram panchayat (village council), became the target of a brutal attack. A group of assailants targeted him, throwing a homemade bomb that resulted in grave injuries. Despite efforts to save him, Bhadu Sheikh succumbed to his injuries at the Rampurhat hospital. This marked the beginning of a series of horrifying events that would unfold in the village.

VIOLENCE ERUPTS:-

In the wake of Bhadu Sheikh's death, chaos and violence erupted in Baktai. At least four houses were set ablaze, resulting in the deaths of ten people, including six women and two children. One individual who sustained severe burn injuries later succumbed to their wounds at a hospital in Birbhum. The discovery of seven burned bodies in a single house highlighted the sheer brutality of the incident.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE:-

In response to the alarming situation, the Government of West Bengal took action by establishing a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the leadership of ADG CID Gyanwant Singh, DIG (Western Range) Sanjay Singh, and DIG CID (Operations) Miraj Khalid. State Director General of Police Manoj Malviya was also actively involved in the case. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee dispatched Minister Firhad Hakim and local MLA and Deputy Speaker Ashish Banerjee to the troubled spot.

POLITICAL REACTIONS:-

The ruling party, Trinamool Congress, alleged that the Birbhum violence was part of a larger conspiracy aimed at tarnishing the state's image and that of the state government. Opposition parties such as CPI(M), BJP, and Congress strongly condemned the murders. CPI(M) state secretary Mohammad Salim criticized the SIT set up by the government, while BJP legislators sought the Governor's intervention and a possible NIA probe. The Congress unit urged the President to invoke Article 355 of the Indian Constitution, describing the state's law and order situation as "Danav Raj" (Monster Rule).

ROLE OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (NHRC):-

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognizance of the violence and demanded a detailed report from the state government within four weeks. Governor of West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankar unequivocally condemned the killings, adding his voice to the growing chorus of concern surrounding the incident.

FILING OF CHARGESHEET BY CBI:-

The Calcutta High Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the Bogtui massacre in Birbhum. The incident occurred on March 21, resulting in the burning of 10 houses and the death of seven people in Bogtui village. Three more victims died in the hospital, bringing the total death toll to 10.

CHARGESHEET DETAILS:-

The CBI filed its charge sheet on Monday against 18 individuals, including Anarul Hossain, the Trinamool Congress block president. The charge sheet was filed 90 days after the CBI took over the case, and it includes the names of two minors. Four persons were named in the charge sheet in connection with the murder of Bhadu Shekh, the upapradhan of Barshal gram panchayat.

REASON FOR MASSACRE:-

The CBI's investigation concluded that the massacre was a "direct fallout" of Bhadu's murder. The motive behind the murder and arson was attributed to the prolonged rivalry between Bhadu and Sona Shekh's family.

ARRESTS AND TIMELINE:-

Initially, the police arrested 21 persons, including Anarul Hossain, on March 24, shortly after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Bogtui and met with the victims' families. The CBI took over the Bogtui case on March 25 and subsequently arrested six people. Four of the absconding accused were apprehended in Mumbai. A case was registered by the CBI in Bhadu's murder on April 8, against 10 individuals named in the FIR by Rampurhat Police. Bhadu's murder triggered a sense of vengeance among his "followers and associates," leading to the arson incident involving the burning of 10 houses.

IDENTIFYING THE VICTIMS:-

Although the bodies found in the burnt houses were charred beyond recognition, the CBI conducted DNA sampling to identify the seven victims. Notably, Lalan Shekh, alias Baro Lalon, lived a few meters from Bhadu's house and had two CCTV cameras installed, which provided valuable evidence during the investigation.

DISCOVERY OF LALAN SHEIKH’S BODY:-

Incident at CBI Camp Office Raises Controversy in Bogtui Massacre Case. Lalan Sheikh, the main accused in the Bogtui massacre case in Bengal, was found hanging in a CBI camp office's toilet in Birbhum’s Rampurhat. This discovery occurred just over a week after his arrest and raised allegations of custodial murder by his family. Lalan Sheikh, who had been on the run for eight months and was arrested in Jharkhand’s Pakur on December 3, was known to be a close aide of the local Trinamul leader, Bhadu Sheikh, whose murder had triggered the Bogtui massacre.

CBI’S CLAIMS AND TRINAMOOL’S DEMAND:-

CBI officials claimed that Lalan Sheikh had hanged himself, but the Trinamool Congress demanded a high-level probe. Trinamool leaders questioned the role of the BJP-controlled CBI in the case and called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lalan's death.

DETAILS OF INCIDENT:-

On the day of the incident, Lalan went to the toilet while being guarded by one CRPF and one state police officer; the two CBI investigating officers were at a local court. When Lalan did not emerge from the toilet, the guards raised an alarm and informed their superiors. The toilet door was broken open, and Lalan's lifeless body was discovered. He was found in his innerwear, with a towel around his neck, and his feet touching the toilet floor. Efforts were made to rush him to Rampurhat Medical College Hospital, but he had already passed away. A judicial inquest will be conducted, and the CBI informed the National Human Rights Commission about the incident.

FAMILY’S ALLEGTIONS:-

Lalan Sheikh's family, including his elder sister Samsunnahar Bibi and wife Reshma Bibi, alleged that he had been severely assaulted by the CBI and was subjected to torture. They claimed that he was denied water to drink and demanded punishment for the CBI officers involved. Reshma Bibi alleged that Lalan was assaulted by CBI officers in her presence, and the family went to Rampurhat police station to lodge a murder case against the CBI.

POLITICAL REACTIONS:-

Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh called for a detailed investigation into the circumstances leading to Lalan Sheikh's death and questioned whether it was a natural death or an attempt to influence the probe. BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to establish who was at fault, particularly since there was a state police personnel involved. Senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha demanded an investigation by an "independent agency" rather than the state police.

SEEKING INFORMATION FROM CBI:-

CID of West Bengal Police Investigates Lalan Sheikh's Death in CBI Custody. The CID (Criminal Investigation Department) of the West Bengal Police, responsible for probing the death of Lalan Sheikh in CBI custody, has issued a notice to the investigating officer of the central investigating agency. The notice requests detailed information about the events that transpired on December 12 when Lalan Sheikh was reportedly found hanging in the toilet at the CBI’s camp office in Panthashree, Rampurhat, Birbhum district.

CCTV FOOTAGE AND STATEMENT RECORDING:-

The CID has also requested CCTV footage from the CBI's camp office to aid in their investigation. Reshma Bibi, the wife of Lalan Sheikh, has already provided a statement to the CID. In her three-page police complaint, she accused CBI officials of "torturing" Lalan and claimed that her husband was killed on the orders of certain CBI officers.

MURDER AND EXTORTION CASE:-

In response to Reshma Bibi's complaint, the CID has registered a murder and extortion case. This case includes five named CBI officers and an unnamed DIG (Deputy Inspector General) and SP (Superintendent of Police).

DIFFERING CLAIMS:-

While the CBI has maintained that Lalan committed suicide, Reshma Bibi filed a fresh complaint against unknown individuals, alleging theft at her house. The complaint was lodged at the Rampurhat police station. Reshma claimed that her house had been sealed by the CBI, raising questions about how items could have gone missing from the premises. She reported the theft of gold jewelry and Rs 50,000 in cash from their home. Reshma Bibi has called for stringent action against the CBI and prosecution of its officers involved in the case.

SUPREME COURT ISSUES NOTICE ON CBI APPEAL IN LALAN SHEIKH CASE:-

A Division Bench of the Supreme Court has taken action in an appeal filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The appeal challenges the Calcutta High Court's order, which had transferred the investigation of the alleged suicide of Lalan Sheikh, the prime accused in the Bogtui Carnage Case, to a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT is led by Dr. Pranav Kumar, an IPS Officer. The issuance of notice by the Supreme Court suggests that the matter will be examined at the highest level and a decision will be made on the transfer of the investigation.

CONCLUSION:-

The Birbhum massacre, triggered by the murder of a local Trinamool leader, Bhadu Sheikh, and the subsequent retaliation, is a deeply disturbing incident that has raised significant concerns regarding law and order in the region. The death of Lalan Sheikh, the main accused in the case, under questionable circumstances has further intensified the controversy surrounding this tragic event. With investigations by multiple agencies and allegations of torture, the situation calls for a thorough and impartial inquiry to uncover the truth and ensure justice for all involved. The outcome of these investigations will not only shape the future of the case but also have broader implications for the administration of justice and transparency in the region.