Rizwanur committed suicide, says CBI

The CBI, called in by the court on October 16 to investigate the case, has sought permission to file charges under Sections 306, 506 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code against IPS officer Ajay Kumar, who was then the chief of Kolkata Police’s detective department, as well as Sukanti Chakraborty and Krishnendu Das, two of his subordinates in the anti-rowdy section.

Rizwanur’s mother, Kishwar Jahan reacting to the CBI findings on Thursday said one has to accept what the CBI is saying. “Lekin dil nahi manta,” Kishwar rued.

Justice Dipankar Dutta of the Kolkata High Court on Thursday disclosed only a part of the report submitted to the court by the CBI on January 8, during the hearing of a petition filed by Rizwanur’s family seeking a CBI inquiry.

Rizwanur’s family had said it did not have any faith in Kolkata police or its CID as its officers had put immense pressure on Rizwanur to back out of his marriage with Priyanka Todi, daughter of a rich businessman, Ashok Todi, at the behest of the girl’s father.

Justice Dutta, however, declined to make the CBI report public or disclose its contents in full. This, in view of the CBI’s request stating that full disclosure before filing of the charges might jeopardise the investigation. The next crucial step in the Rizwanur death case would the filing of chargesheets against six persons, including three policemen. Once the chargesheet is filed they should be arrested as per law.

According to Justice Dutta, the CBI has also recommended that “steps” be taken against Prasun Mukherjee, the then commissioner of Kolkata Police. Similarly, the CBI recommended “disciplinary action” against Gyanwant Singh, the then Deputy Commissioner (headquarters) and a police officer of Karaya police station.

At Writers’ Buildings, home secretary Prasad Ranjan Roy told reporters that the Government would have to get a copy of the court’s order before it can take a decision on the police officers.

How the case unfolded

• September 21, 2007: Rizwanur’s body found on railway tracks between Ultadanga and Dum Dum stations.

• September 27: Rizwanur’s family petitions the Calcutta High Court.

• September 27: State government announces a judicial inquiry.

• October 15: HC completes hearing on Rizwanur’s mother’s petition.

• October 16: Justice Saumitra Pal orders a CBI probe.

• October 17: Police Commissioner Prasun Mukherjee is shunted out, together with Deputy Commissioners Ajoy Kumar and Gyanwant Singh, Assistant Commissioner Sukanti Chakraborty and Sub-Inspector Krishnendu Das.

• October 26: State shuts down judicial commission.

• January 8, 2008: CBI submits its report to the court.

• February 28: HC discloses some part of CBI report.