Nadia, 27 July (H.S.): A Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Krishnanagar has directed police to register an FIR and investigate allegations of illegal excavation of government land and the alleged smuggling of valuable teak and mahogany trees in West Bengal's Nadia district. The order names Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, Shahjahan Sheikh, and a total of 11 accused.
The court directed Nakashipara Police Station to register the case and conduct an investigation. Following the order, the petitioners and their supporters distributed sweets outside the court in celebration.
Counsel for the petitioners, Shirshendu Das, said the case was filed before the Krishnanagar District Court on June 25. After a preliminary hearing, the court sought a report from Nakashipara Police Station. Based on the police report submitted to the court, Chief Judicial Magistrate Tarun Kumar Mondal on Monday ordered the registration of an FIR and a judicially monitored investigation.
According to the petitioners, the lease of around 1,100 bighas of government land along National Highway-12 in Mouza No. 24 under Nakashipara expired in 2020. Despite this, they alleged that soil was illegally excavated and sold from nearly 450 bighas of the land. They further claimed that thousands of valuable teak and mahogany trees were illegally felled and smuggled, causing significant loss to government property.
The petitioners' lawyer alleged that Abhishek Banerjee had direct or indirect patronage over the alleged activities and claimed that the police had failed to act despite being aware of the matter. These are allegations made by the petitioners and have not been established in court. There was no immediate response from Abhishek Banerjee or the other accused regarding the allegations.
Petitioner Parashar Mondal, a resident of Nakashipara, welcomed the court's order and alleged that illegal soil excavation, tree felling and disposal of government property had continued for years. He urged strict action against those found responsible.
The investigation will now be carried out by Nakashipara Police in accordance with the court's directions.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
