The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided to transfer the investigation of two FIRs against West Bengal BJP leader Kabir Shankar Bose to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing a “politically charged atmosphere” in the state. The FIRs were related to a 2020 altercation between Bose’s security team and Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers. Justices B V Nagarathna and Pankaj Mithal presided over the case, highlighting the complex political dynamics in West Bengal as a significant factor influencing their decision.
The bench pointed out that Bose’s prior marital connection to the daughter of TMC MP Kalyan Banerji, and their subsequent divorce, had led to bitter enmity, adding a personal layer to the political discord. The justices remarked on the potential biases that could affect a fair investigation by local police, given Bose’s affiliation with the BJP, the party ruling at the Centre, and the TMC’s dominance in the state government.
In their judgment, the justices expressed concern over the investigation of CISF personnel by local police due to possible conflicting interests. The court ruled that the role of CISF or its personnel in the incident could not be adequately examined by state forces and should instead be handled by the CBI.
Bose, who is also an advocate, had petitioned the Supreme Court to redirect the investigation from the West Bengal police to a more neutral body, arguing that the local police were unlikely to conduct an impartial investigation. His plea detailed a violent incident on December 6, 2020, where he and his CISF guards were reportedly attacked outside his residence in Serampore, West Bengal, under the instigation of TMC leader Santosh Kumar Singh alias Pappu Singh.
The bench issued a writ of mandamus, directing the state respondents to hand over all relevant investigation records to the CBI. This move is intended to ensure that the investigation proceeds without bias, allowing for a fair trial and serving justice.
