Calcutta HC reserves judgement in petition for NIA probe in Howrah Ram Navami clash

The Calcutta High Court on Monday reserved judgement on a petition by West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari seeking an NIA investigation into clashes between two groups of people during a Ram Navami procession at Shibpur in Howrah. Concluding the hearing of the petition, the court observed that a probe by a central agency is required if an unconnected third party is found to be trying to take advantage of such unrest and joins a clash between two groups. There must be a mechanism to put an end to violence during religious functions and to instil fear in those indulging in such acts, the court said. Asked by the court about the recurrence of such incidents, West Bengal Advocate General S N Mookherjee said that it is not something to be proud of as a state. Additional Solicitor General Ashok Chakraborti, who represented the NIA, submitted that according to the petitioners, there were several blasts at Shibpur and Rishra during the Ramnavami procession and after. Once there is an occurrence of an explosion an NIA investigation is called for as per law. The NIA is ready to investigate the incidents if directed by the court, he said.