The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the CBI to investigate an allegation by a woman that she was asked by some "influential persons" to file a police complaint against a contractor who was then arrested, and ordered that he be freed immediately.
The court also directed the CRPF to provide security to the woman who said she cannot name the “influential persons” as she fears for the safety of herself and her family.
The woman filed an affidavit before the court stating that she works for a contractor firm based in Purba Medinipur district and was forced to sign on the pages of the Bengali typewritten complaint, without knowing the contents.
The contractor against whom the complaint was made was associated with another firm.
The court said that in view of the averments in the affidavit of the complainant, it has serious reservations regarding the bona fides of the FIR which was filed against contractor Ram Chandra Panda on December 28 at Contai police station in Purba Medinipur district and he was arrested on its basis on the same day.
"This is a clear example of the often made allegation before this court that FIRs are registered in the state after complaints are procured by unfair means to implicate political opponents in criminal cases for collateral purposes," Justice Rajasekhar Mantha observed.
Directing that the entire proceedings in the FIR will remain stayed, the court ordered that the arrested man be "set at liberty forthwith unconditionally."
Justice Mantha directed that a copy of the affidavit filed by the woman be served on the director, CBI at Kolkata, by her advocate.
She claimed that she cannot reveal the names of the influential persons who made her sign the document as she fears for the safety and security of herself and her family.
"I am humbly praying for the safety and security of myself and my family members as well as protection from registration of false police cases against me and my family members," she said in the affidavit filed before the court through her lawyer Sabyasachi Chatterjee on Wednesday.
The court also directed the commandant, CRPF, who is in charge of the forces at Kolkata and Contai, to provide sufficient security to the woman until further orders.
Justice Mantha directed the CBI to submit a report on the investigation conducted by it when the matter is taken up for further hearing after filing of affidavits by the parties involved in the matter.
The court directed the state to file a list of all cases registered against Ram Chandra Panda on January 10 before it.
Panda earlier filed a petition before the high court seeking liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution against malicious arrest and prosecution and quashing of the case filed against him at Contai police station.
Article 21 deals with protection of life and personal liberty.
The petitioner also prayed for transfer of the investigation into the case to the CBI.
-With PTI Input
