Victory For The People

KOLKATA, Oct. 16: The Calcutta High Court order for a CBI investigation into the unnatural death of Rizwanur Rehman is a victory for the people of Bengal, whether Hindu or Muslim, a jubilant Mr Rukbanur Rehman said after the High Court announced its verdict today.
The CBI investigation was ordered because Mr Prasun Mukherjee, commissioner of police, Kolkata Police, announced to the Press even before the post-mortem report was submitted, that Rizwanur’s death was a case of suicide, said Mr Kalyan Bandopadhyay, counsel for Rizwanur Rehman’s kin.
As soon as Mr Justice Soumitra Pal announced a CBI investigation, Mr Rukbanur and his relatives hugged each other. Cries of joy and clapping rang inside the courtroom. As Mr Rukbanur and his relatives trooped outside, congratulations came his way from lawyers and people inside the High Court building.
“We are very happy. This is a victory for the people of West Bengal. I have full faith in the Indian judicial system, and am sure that we will get justice very soon,” said Mr Rukbanur to the Press waiting outside. “I thank the media for being with us all the way and I hope they will continue to be with us until justice is done to Rizwanur.”
Mr Kalyan Bandopadhyay, counsel for Rizwanur Rehman’s kin, said: “The High Court has maintained that there has been a legal injury to both mother and brother of the deceased, because of which the appeal for CBI investigation is valid under Section 226 of the Indian Constitution. About the CID investigation since 25 September into Rizwanur Rehman’s death, in which 22 witnesses were summoned, the Judge has said the investigation is illegal, as it is a violation of Section 175 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.”
Mr Bandopadhyay also said that the CBI probe has been ordered because of Mr Prasun Mukherjee’s comments before the Press even before the post-mortem report was submitted to police about Rizwanur Rehman’s death being a case of suicide.
Waving placards written hurriedly to welcome the High Court decision, friends and relatives of Rizwanur Rehman said today they were as happy as if it were Id.
“We are very happy. Truth has won. Today is our Id,” said Mohd. Alam, uncle of Rizwanur.