Calcutta HC orders CBI probe into death of witness in Congress councillor's murder case

The Calcutta High Court has ordered a CBI probe into the death of the prime witness in the murder case of Congress councillor Tapan Kandu.

The Calcutta High Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death of Niranjan Vaishnav, the prime witness in the murder case of Congress councillor Tapan Kandu. Earlier, the high court had ordered a CBI probe into Tapan Kundu's murder case, which was challenged by the Bengal government.

Niranjan Vaishnav was the prime witness in the murder of Tapan Kandu. His body was found hanging in his house in Purulia's Jhalda on April 6. The same day, the CBI started its probe into the Tapan Kandu murder case. He was a friend of Tapan Kandu and was with him when Tapan was attacked and killed.

Tapan Kandu was gunned down on April 13. His wife, Purnima, filed an application in the Calcutta High court demanding a CBI probe in the case.

Tapan Kandu's family accused the local police of involvement in the murder, especially the inspector in charge of Jhalda police, who later got a clean chit by the SP.

This is the second CBI probe ordered by the Calcutta HC in the last 10 days. On March 25, a CBI probe order was given in the Rampurhat mass killing case.