Kolkata, 12 June (H.S.): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the Beldanga violence case received a major boost on Friday after the new BJP government in West Bengal withdrew a petition filed by the previous Trinamool Congress administration challenging the central agency’s investigation.

With the withdrawal of the case before the Calcutta High Court, legal hurdles to the NIA investigation have effectively been removed. However, the question of whether provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) should be invoked in the case will be decided by the High Court.

During Friday’s hearing, the state government informed the court that it had withdrawn the petition opposing the NIA investigation. Following this submission, the High Court directed the NIA to file a supplementary report within 10 days.

The court asked the agency to specify the fresh evidence and materials it has gathered that could justify the application of UAPA provisions in connection with the Beldanga violence. The matter is scheduled to be heard again on June 30.

Appearing for the NIA, senior advocate Arun Maiti told the court that since the previous hearing, the agency had obtained several new documents and pieces of evidence which, according to investigators, support the possible invocation of UAPA in the case.

The High Court granted the NIA what it described as a final opportunity to present concrete and legally sustainable grounds for applying anti-terror provisions under the law. The court said its decision on the issue would be based on the supplementary report and supporting evidence submitted by the agency.

During the same proceedings, the Calcutta High Court also took up the matter relating to the alleged gherao of judges in Mothabari, Malda district.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Parthasarathi Sen directed the NIA to submit a progress report on its investigation into the incident. The court also sought details regarding the grounds on which certain accused persons had been granted bail by a lower court.

The bench ordered the submission of a detailed report on the matter and fixed June 30 as the next date of hearing for the Mothabari case as well.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh