123 Kolkata: Calcutta High Court on Monday reprimanded CID for submitting a report reflecting "mere table work and lip service" in a cross-border smuggling case wherein the high court had directed formation of a special task force (STF).
CID senior superintendent of police, Malda, was directed to take immediate steps for course correction and undertake effective investigation on the FIR. He was directed to be personally present in the high court and explain his conduct on "failure to take prompt steps".
In an anticipatory bail application filed by the co-accused in a smuggling case, the court had directed formation of the STF under the supervision of CID ADG. BSF had apprehended one person and recovered 50 cough syrup bottles and 37 mobile phones. A case was registered against 20 people but they were discharged. The CID filed a report before the division bench of Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Gaurang Kanth. The report included that the superior investigating officer had prayed for obtaining a case diary from the court on Nov 14 and for interrogation of the accused. "Your officers don't talk to each other, they send requisitions. There is no telephone," Justice Bagchi told the CID counsel and questioned why case diary was not obtained from the PS.
Similarly, jail interrogation of accused Delwar Sk. could have been done by physically visiting the jail, Justice Bagchi observed. Furthermore, it was noted that no steps were taken to apprehend the co-accused whose anticipatory bail was rejected by the Division Bench during earlier hearing.
"Unfortunately, seriousness and necessity for effective investigation of the crime noted by us in the order has not persuaded the superior Police Administration to take prompt action. Like the local police administration they continue to drag their feet in the matter. We disapprove of their indifferent conduct," the Division Bench noted.