Calcutta HC asks Bengal not to arrest NIA sleuths accused of rape bid

KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered the Bengal government not to arrest sleuths of the National Investigation Agency in an attempt to rape case registered at the Bhupatinagar police station. NIA had on Tuesday sought a stay on proceedings in the case registered against its personnel.

HC, however, said the police was free to question NIA officials through videoconferencing but asked it to serve a 72-hour notice before summoning accused NIA personnel.

The East Midnapore police registered an FIR against NIA and CRPF officials based on a complaint filed by Trinamool worker Monobrata Jana's wife, after NIA arrested her spouse in a 2022 blast case monitored by HC.


Jana's wife alleged that the sleuths tried to outrage her modesty after forcibly entering her residence in Bhupatinagar. The case was registered a day after NIA team was attacked while carrying out the arrest of two Trinamool workers. "An NIA official sustained injuries and an official vehicle was also damaged in the attack. NIA has already filed a complaint at the area police station seeking legal action against the assailants," NIA said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Union home minister Amit Shah has said, "three people died in the 2022 blast. Should they be not put behind bars? HC ordered NIA to investigate the case and Mamata didi has registered a case against NIA, to save those involved in the bomb blast. HC has given protection to NIA and all accused. Don't worry, the culprits will be punished."