The Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) has demanded a judicial inquiry led by a sitting or former High Court judge into the death of Samaun Sheikh, an accused in the murder of a local BJP worker, who died after being shot during a CID crime scene reconstruction exercise in Shamsherganj last month.
The human rights organisation has also called for the suspension of the CID personnel involved, registration of a murder case against them and compensation of Rs 50 lakh for Sheikh’s family.
On Thursday, a five-member APDR delegation submitted a fact-finding report to Additional District Magistrate (General) Achintya Kumar Hazra. The delegation had initially planned to submit a memorandum to the official. Hazra met the representatives and assured them that the report and their demands would be forwarded to the District Magistrate.
APDR Questions Circumstances of Shooting
Following the meeting, APDR reiterated its demand for an independent judicial investigation. It also sought the suspension of all CID officers involved until the inquiry is completed and the registration of a murder case against them.
The organisation further demanded a second post-mortem examination at a Central Government-controlled hospital, Rs 50 lakh in compensation for the family and a government job for one member of the household.
Rahul Chakraborty, Murshidabad district secretary of APDR, told The Observer Post that a seven-member team visited the area on November 2 as part of its fact-finding exercise.
The team visited the alleged encounter site, Sheikh’s residence and Shamsherganj Police Station. It also spoke to the station’s Inspector-in-Charge, Sheikh’s family members and local residents.
Chakraborty questioned the absence of CCTV footage and video documentation of the crime scene reconstruction. He alleged that police had removed CCTV cameras from the location during the investigation into the murder of Sujit Mondal, leaving the shooting without camera coverage.
He also questioned why the reconstruction exercise was not videographed.
APDR Disputes Police Account of Encounter
According to the police, Sheikh allegedly attempted to escape during the reconstruction exercise and tried to snatch a police officer’s firearm during a scuffle, forcing the officers to open fire.
APDR has questioned this account, particularly the circumstances and location of the gunshot wound.
“If the incident took place inside a 10-by-10-foot room, how did the bullet hit the right side of his head instead of his leg or another part of the body?” Chakraborty asked.
He further alleged that Sheikh may have been made to kneel inside the house and shot at close range above the right ear. Chakraborty also questioned why only two CID officers allegedly took Sheikh to a second-floor room and closed the door, despite police personnel from Shamsherganj Police Station being present in the area.
These allegations have not been independently established.
APDR Says It May Approach High Court
Chakraborty said the organisation would wait for the District Magistrate’s response before deciding on further legal action.
“After getting the District Magistrate’s reply, we will approach the High Court along with his family,” he told The Observer Post.
The incident is linked to the murder of Sujit Mondal, a BJP worker from Shamsherganj, in late August. Sheikh was an accused in the murder case.
On the afternoon of October 27, CID officers took Sheikh to the Dakbangla area of Shamsherganj for a crime scene reconstruction as part of the investigation.
According to the police, Sheikh attempted to flee during the exercise and tried to seize a police firearm, following which officers opened fire. He sustained a gunshot injury and was taken to Anupnagar Hospital in critical condition, where he was declared dead.
