The CBI has arrested seven persons in connection with the murder of a man in May last year in post-poll violence in West Bengal. Accused Pranab Barkait, Pritam Roy Sarkar, Ratan Roy Sarkar, Liton Shil, Liton Bhaumik, Nakul Roy Sarkar and Biswajit Barman were arrested from Cooch Behar, Jaipur and Kolkata after sustained surveillance, the CBI said.
On the basis of inputs confirming the presence of the accused, the CBI carried out coordinated searches at eight locations in the three districts where they all were nabbed, it said. The CBI had taken over the case on August 19, 2021 on the orders of the Calcutta High Court.
It was alleged that around 2 pm on May 4, 2021, the victim Sridhar Das was mercilessly beaten with sticks, 'battam' and iron rods by unknown people, the agency said in a statement. When the victim's wife tried to rescue him, the accused attacked her as well, it added.
"After the incident, Sridhar Das was admitted in Dinhata Hospital, and later, in other hospitals/nursing homes in Cooch Behar and died during treatment on June 21, 2021," the agency said.
Searches were conducted around eight locations in Cooch Behar, (West Bengal) which led to recovery of incriminating documents and articles.
The arrested accused were produced before the Competent Court and remanded to police custody, it added.
Large-scale violence had erupted in West Bengal after results of the bitterly fought Assembly elections in the State were announced on May 2, 2021. The Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress registered a landslide victory. Amid allegations and counter-allegations of party members being targeted by rival groups, the Calcutta High Court had handed over the investigation of such crimes to the CBI for further probe.