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Synopsis

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday dismissed the plea filed by Bharatiya Janta Party leader Suvendu Adhikari seeking a probe by the NIA in the Egra Bomb Blast.

According to a report in The Indian Express, the court directed the State Crime Investigation Department (CID) to continue the investigation into the explosion at a firecracker plant in the Egra region of East Midnapore.

A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya directed the CID to submit its report in the matter before the bench by June 12, 2023.

On Tuesday, at around 11 am, an explosion occurred at an illegal firecracker factory in Khadikul village, which is under the jurisdiction of the Egra police station. In the explosion, nine individuals were killed and dozens others were injured.

Following the loss of lives, Suvendu Adhikari filed the PIL seeking NIA probe. 

According to the police, the factory was functioning unlawfully despite the fact that the owner of the factory was arrested last year and a chargesheet was filed against him. The West Bengal CID initiated a probe into the incident and investigation with the help of forensic experts after the State government handed over the case to it. A bomb squad team also investigated the blast site.

On Tuesday, the bench also rejected Adkhikari's request to deploy central forces in the area to ensure peace and order. It did, however, direct the state police to deploy more personnel.

On Thursday, The CID arrested one of the suspects in the bomb case, Krishnapada Bagh @ Bhanu Bagh.

Lastly, Mamta Banerjee has promised an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh for each of the deceased's families and Rs 1 lakh for each of the injured.

The court listed the matter for further hearing on Jue 12, 2023.