The Hindu : Front Page : Police officers “removed” for Rahman’s mysterious death

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Saturday, Oct 06, 2007
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Police officers “removed” for Rahman’s mysterious death

Special Correspondent

Action against two others of a higher rank, if needed

KOLKATA: Two senior officers of the Kolkata police have been “removed” from their posts and similar action could be taken, if required, against two others of a higher rank for their alleged involvement in the events leading to the mysterious death of 30-year-old computer graphics teacher Rizwanur Rahman. His body was found near the rail track near here on September 21 just weeks after his marriage to Priyanka.

Questions have been raised on Kolkata Police Commissioner Prasun Mukherjee’s role. A decision on the issue would be taken by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu said on Friday. He criticised the statement made to the media on September 23 by the police chief.

The statement was “unwarranted and very bad,” Mr. Basu said, emerging from a meeting of the State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

The Chief Minister had seen the statement and was waiting for the ruling of the Calcutta High Court, where hearing was due on an appeal by Rahman’s mother for a CBI probe. “After that the Chief Minister will take appropriate action,” Mr. Basu said.

The matter was heard in the High Court during the day and would be taken up again on Monday.

The Chief Minister refused to comment on the developments as inquiries were on.

On the desire of Rahman’s mother to meet him and seek action against those responsible for the death of her son, Mr. Bhattacharjee said he was willing to meet her.

Mr. Mukherjee, at a press conference, reportedly failed to justify the action of two senior officers who had allegedly harassed Rahman and his wife Priyanka and tried to separate them on the instructions of her father, Ashok Todi, an influential city businessman. He is alleged to have connections with a section of the top brass of the city police.

Rahman’s death, which raised a public outcry, has also snowballed into a political issue. Priyanka’s family was reportedly against her marrying Rahman. The police earlier claimed that the death was a case of suicide.

Asked why the police failed to entertain a complaint from the couple and intervene, Mr. Mukherjee said, “Who else would do this; the PWD?”

Meanwhile, Home Secretary Prasad Ranjan Ray, however, said no official intimation had reached him on transfer of any police officer.

Under probe

Asked to comment on Mr, Basu’s remarks on the police chief’s statement, Mr. Ray said: “There is no question of endorsing it.”

On whether action would be taken against two other police officers alleged to be involved in the incident, he said: “Steps will be taken if required and according to legal advice … the entire matter is under inquiry.”

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said the action against the officers was an “eye-wash.”

“A Central Bureau of Investigation probe is required to expose the nexus of muscle power, money power and State power,” she said.

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