Tapasi Malik Murder: CBI files charge sheet agianst CPIM leader

Special Correspondent

CPI(M) leader among two accused in Singur murder case

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has chargesheeted Suhrid Baran Dutta, Singur zonal secretary of the CPI(M), and Debu Malik of Singur, in a murder case.

The case relates to the killing of 19-year-old Tapasi Malik who was protesting against the acquisition of land in Singur village for setting up the Tata Motors car plant.

According to the CBI, Dutta had arranged four assailants for executing the murder and the unidentified persons raped and murdered Tapasi on December 18 last. The CBI is hunting for the assailants.

Dutta was also involved in infrastructure development work of the Tata Motors' small car project in Hooghly district of West Bengal for "personal gains," said the CBI charge sheet, filed in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Chandannagar.

Dutta and Debu Malik are now in judicial custody. The charge sheet said the two were on good terms and supervising the work of different contractors in connection with the infrastructural development of the acquired land. "There is evidence to indicate that accused Suhrid Baran Dutta was involved in the infrastructural development work, including selection of contractors, for personal gain," the charge sheet alleged.

Threats

It was found during the probe that Tapasi was associated with the Trinamool Congress party, which was spearheading the protest against the acquisition of land. She had been receiving threats from Debu Malik that she should not participate in local demonstrations and strikes.

Dutta had also allegedly threatened her of dire consequences on May 25 last while she was leading a demonstration. Despite such threats, Tapasi continued with her demonstration and hunger-strikes along with the villagers. On many occasions, the police also took action against the demonstrators, including Tapasi, the charge sheet said.

"On December 2, 2006, there was large-scale police action in the village. Suhrid Baran Dutta was leading a police party and pointed out the houses of active members who were protesting against the acquisition of land by the government, including the home of Tapasi Malik," it said.

The HIndu