Court Seeks Clarity on Post-Mortem Communication
The Calcutta High Court on Monday raised questions over why the investigating officer (IO) in the Khejuri unnatural deaths case had called the doctor before and after he conducted the post-mortem of two victims. The bench, led by Justice Debasngsu Basak and Justice Md Shabbar Rashidi, expressed surprise after the call details were produced.
Police vs Family Claims
Police maintain that the two men — one in his 60s and another 23 years old — died on July 12 after an electric pole fell on them at a village fair in Purba Medinipur. However, the families alleged they were murdered, pointing to injury marks and demanding a deeper probe.
Court Orders and Ongoing Probe
The bench had earlier ordered a second post-mortem following family petitions. A single-judge bench had also transferred the probe to the West Bengal CID on August 26. On Monday, the state government submitted the first post-mortem doctor’s call records, while the court directed submission of more call data linked to the case by next week.
Families Push for CBI Investigation
Petitioners have insisted that the deaths were not due to electrocution, as claimed by the police, but caused by assault. They have sought transfer of the probe from CID to the CBI, alleging manipulation of evidence and cover-up.
FIRs Registered After Allegations
Initially treated as unnatural deaths, the cases were later registered as FIRs after family members lodged murder allegations. The High Court is monitoring the investigation’s progress closely, with the next hearing scheduled for September 15.
