Advocate Manish Shukla Murder Case: Petition filed in Calcutta HC Demanding CBI Investigation

Advocate Manish Shukla murdered by unidentified assailants

On October 4, Advocate Manish Shukla was shot down by unidentified assailants riding on motorcycles near the Titagarh Police Station at around 8:30 PM. 

PIL asks for CBI investigation 

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Calcutta High Court. The petition seeks directions to assign the case of the advocate to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) with the Court monitoring the same. The petition further urged that the Court direct the State of West Bengal to pay compensation to the family of the deceased under the provisions of Section 357A of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Petitioner alleges that the murder took place in a pre-planned manner 

The petitioner, Advocate Priyanka Tibrewal alleged that the murder took place in a pre-planned manner and the petition stated that Shukla was shot in a crowded area "which is indicative of an abysmal law and order situation and complete disregard for the civic machinery of the State."

It was noted that while the killing took place meters away from a police station, the CCTV footage from a medical store nearby has been destroyed. Other CCTV footage was also not released citing malfunctioning of the camera, adding to concerns that there may be foul play.

The petitioner took note of the statements given by local bystanders and submitted that one of the gunmen who shot the victim was associated with various political leaders and may have had a political motive in murdering Shukla.

Cabinet Minister makes a controversial statement 

The plea adds that the Cabinet Minister of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Government of West Bengal and the Mayor of Kolkata, Firhad Hakim's statement that, 'criminals in West Bengal don't use these kinds of weapons,' raises pertinent questions. In this backdrop, the petitioner asked, "does he personally know them or is associated with criminals here?"

Police is privy to the pre-planned murder claims petitioner

The petitioner further submitted that the police are threatening Shukla's family of dire consequences if they move the courts to seek legal recourse.

It is alleged that the police are also privy to the pre-planned murder of Shukla, given that they were completely oblivious about the murder taking place in a relatively crowded area under their surveillance and in the vicinity of their office premises.

It is also noted that Shukla was provided with security guards by the police authorities for his protection. However, on the day of the killing, the security guards had taken leave from duty.

Since the police's actions seemed that they were hand in glove with the murderers, the plea asked for a SIT or CBI probe.