The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with a Calcutta High Court order that declined to stay a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into incidents of violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district earlier this year. The court held that the High Court had adopted a “balanced view” while allowing the investigation to proceed.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi dismissed an appeal filed by the West Bengal government challenging the High Court’s February 26 decision, which had refused to halt the NIA’s investigation.
While disposing of the appeal, the apex court directed the state government to approach the Calcutta High Court with any grievances regarding the NIA probe. It also noted that the High Court could examine the state’s challenge to the Union government’s decision to hand over the investigation to the central agency.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court referred to its earlier order dated February 11 in a related matter. At that time, the court had directed the NIA to submit a sealed-cover report before the High Court explaining the basis for invoking provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the Murshidabad violence case.
The NIA has invoked Section 15(1)(a) of the UAPA, which relates to terrorist acts. The provision applies to acts carried out with the intent to threaten the unity, integrity, security, economic security, or sovereignty of India, or to strike terror among people. It also covers situations where explosives, firearms, or other lethal weapons are used.
The Supreme Court had asked the agency to clarify the basis for applying the UAPA provision to the incidents in Murshidabad’s Beldanga area.
Appearing for the NIA, Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju defended the agency’s decision, pointing to the alleged use of deadly weapons and the district’s proximity to the Bangladesh border as factors that justified invoking anti-terror provisions.
The Ministry of Home Affairs transferred the investigation to the NIA on January 28 following a series of unrest-related incidents in the district.
Earlier, on January 20, the Calcutta High Court had expressed concern over repeated violence in Murshidabad and directed the police and local administration to ensure that peace was maintained.
The tensions were linked to protests triggered by separate incidents involving migrant workers. On January 16, demonstrators blocked National Highway-12 after the death of a Beldanga resident working in Jharkhand. A day later, similar road blockades were reported following allegations that another Murshidabad resident working in Bihar had been heckled.
With the Supreme Court declining to intervene, the NIA probe into the Murshidabad violence will continue, while the West Bengal government has been advised to pursue its objections before the Calcutta High Court.
