The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday revisited the crime scene in West Bengal's East Midnapore district where an aide of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari was killed earlier this week. The deceased, identified as 32-year-old Abhijit Sarkar, was a close associate of Adhikari and was found dead under mysterious circumstances on Monday.
Details of the Incident
Sarkar's body was discovered near a railway track in the Khejuri area of East Midnapore. Initial reports suggested that he might have been run over by a train, but the family alleged foul play and demanded a thorough investigation. Following the complaint, the state government handed over the case to the CBI.
CBI's Investigation
A team of CBI officials, accompanied by forensic experts, arrived at the spot on Thursday morning. They spent several hours examining the area, collecting evidence, and recording statements from local residents. The team also inspected the railway track and the surrounding vicinity to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to Sarkar's death.
Sources said that the CBI is exploring multiple angles, including the possibility of a political motive. Sarkar was known to be a vocal supporter of Adhikari, who is the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. The murder has sparked political tensions in the region, with both the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) trading accusations.
Political Reactions
Suvendu Adhikari expressed grief over the death and demanded justice. He alleged that the TMC was responsible for the killing, a charge the party has denied. The TMC, in turn, accused the BJP of trying to create a law-and-order crisis in the state. The CBI's revisit to the crime scene is seen as a step towards ensuring a fair and transparent investigation.
Local residents have been asked to cooperate with the investigating team. The CBI has also collected mobile phone records and other digital evidence to track Sarkar's movements before his death. The post-mortem report is awaited, which is expected to provide crucial clues.
Background
This is not the first incident of political violence in West Bengal. The state has witnessed several clashes between supporters of the BJP and TMC in recent years, especially after the 2021 assembly elections. The CBI has been investigating multiple cases of alleged political killings in the state, with the latest being the murder of a local TMC leader in February.
The revisit to the crime scene indicates that the CBI is leaving no stone unturned in its probe. The agency is expected to submit a detailed report to the court in the coming weeks.
