GUWAHATI: The one-man enquiry committee, appointed by the state government to probe the police station arson case in Assam's Nagaon district from the previous year, has wrapped up its hearings. The committee, seeking answers on the arson and the subsequent demolition of an accused individual's house, has been granted a four-week window by the Gauhati High Court to submit its conclusive report.
Advancing the proceedings, government advocate D Nath, during a recent hearing of a suo moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before Chief Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Kardak Ete, presented a communication from the joint secretary to the Assam government, home and political department. This communication shed light on the status of the committee's hearings. The court has scheduled the case for December 13.
In May of the preceding year, the Batadrava Police Station witnessed a violent incident when a mob set it ablaze following the death of Safikul Islam, a 38-year-old fish seller, in police custody.
Allegations surfaced that Safikul Islam had faced detention due to his refusal to bribe the police for his release. The police subsequently filed a chargesheet against 24 individuals linked to the case.
During the investigation phase, law enforcement authorities ordered the demolition of five houses, justifying their actions by claiming the structures were illegally occupying government land. In the latest development last month, the one-man panel interrogated 17 Assam Police officers, including Nagaon SP Leena Doley, regarding their involvement in the case.
