Guwahati: Lalan Sheikh, the main suspect in the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) ongoing investigation into the deaths of 10 individuals who were killed after their homes were set on fire in West Bengal’s Birbhum district earlier this year, was taken into custody on Sunday.
Official reports said that Lalan Sheikh was close to the late Bhadu Sheikh.
According to reports, he was arrested on Saturday night and appeared in court on Sunday.
The massacre in Birbhum happened on March 21, 2022. It was alleged that Bhadu Sheikh from Bogtui village, who was the Upa Pradhan (Dy Pradhan) of Barshal GP, was murdered. He was injured in the Bogtui Morh explosion on NH-60.
Tension developed as a result of the event in Bogtui Morh on NH-60 and nearby localities.
Reportedly, the deceased Bhadu Sheikh’s supporters and accomplices ransacked and set fire to the homes of rival parties in Bogtui with the intention of killing anyone inside.
Four more people had life-threatening burn injuries, and seven people were burnt to death.
It was impossible to determine the identities of the deceased. Four injured people later died at Rampurhat Medical College and Hospital, one of them a woman. The death toll now stands at 10, with two more individuals passing away from burn injuries.
21 suspects were arrested by the State Police.
A case was filed on March 25 after the CBI took over the investigation in accordance with a Calcutta High Court decision. A sizable CBI team, including specialists from CFSL, arrived at Rampurhat right away. The CFSL team gathered crucial physical and biological evidence.
The bodies that were recovered were entirely burned and unrecognisable.
The blood samples of the victims’ likely direct relatives as well as the biological samples of these individuals as preserved during post-mortem examination were sent for DNA profiling. All seven victims’ identities were determined via DNA profiling.
The CBI used scientific techniques to gather enough evidence during the inquiry. The community was essentially empty throughout the early stages of the investigation, and witnesses were reluctant to come forward out of fear.
Many witnesses had sought refuge in other towns. Numerous witnesses came forward after persistent efforts, and the statement was recorded.
It was found that the two groups had a protracted conflict within the village. The late Bhadu Sheikh headed one group, while a member of one of the victims’ families and others led another group.
Six people were initially arrested by the CBI throughout the inquiry. Four of them were arrested in Mumbai. The main suspect was arrested on Saturday as a result of additional investigation that is currently being conducted.
A charge sheet was lodged under Section 120-B r/w 147, 148, 149, 302, 307, 435, 436, 460, 201, and 109 of the IPC in the case involving the deaths of 10 people in Bogtui Village, Bhirbhum District (West Bengal).