SC notice to WB on plea for CBI probe into BJP killings

The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the West Bengal government on a plea seeking a CBI probe into the killing of BJP workers after panchayat polls in May, this year.

A bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan sought a response from the state government and the CBI on a petition filed by advocate and BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia.

Bhatia contended the killings of BJP workers have taken place in a very disturbing manner after the panchayat polls, and the police had failed to act against the culprits. He sought a compensation of Rs 50 lakh and police protection to the family members of three party workers.

On May 30, 18-year-old Tirlochan Mahato, a BJP worker from Balrampur village of Purulia district, was found hanging from a tree with a poster written in Bengali struck on his back, saying he was killed for canvassing for the BJP during panchayat election.

Another death of Dulal Kumar, also a BJP worker, had taken place on June 2 in a similar manner in the same district. In July, a BJP worker, Saktipada Sarkar was hacked to death in South 24 Parganas district.