The Tripura High Court, while hearing a PIL seeking probe into the recent political violence in the state by an existing or retired Judge of the High Court, has issued notice to the state government.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Akil Kureshi and Justice S. G. Chattopadhyay passed this order on Monday, while hearing a PIL filed by Haripada Das, an active member of a political party.
The petition was filed by an active member of a political party. His main prayer was for the formation of a special investigation team under an existing or retired Judge of the High Court for fair and proper inquiry and investigation into the recent political violence in the state.
The petitioner pointed out that on September 8 and 9, 2021, certain violent incidences of breach of law and order which had political flavour took place in the State of Tripura causing bodily injuries to certain citizens and damaging private and public properties. In connection with these incidents, several FIRs have been lodged on or around September 9.
However, according to the petitioner, till the filing of the petition on 18th September, 2021 no arrests have been made by the police.
Counsel for the Petitioner submitted that the violence was politically motivated and was targeted against particular political outfit, its members and the establishments were the prime targets.
She submitted that despite lodging of FIRs in relation to such riotous situations disclosing commission of cognizable offences, so far the police has not carried out serious investigation and no arrests have been made. She submitted that clearly the police department is working under political compulsions.
According to the counsel, therefore, it was necessary to ensure impartial and independent investigation which may be handed over to a special investigation team to be constituted by this Court whose functioning may be supervised by a former Judge of the High Court.
Without expressing any opinion on the averments and the allegations of the petitioner and the arguments of his counsel, however, looking to the seriousness of the issues involved, we would like to gather further information from the respondents before deciding further course of action, the Court said.
Let there be notice to the respondents, returnable for 4th October, 2021, the Court ordered.