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The Calcutta High Court on Friday has directed for the post-mortem of Arjun Chowrasia, Vice President of Yuva Morcha of Kashipur, of Bharatiya Janata Party killed in an alleged political murder case, to be conducted before an expert from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalyani.

Chowrasia was found hanging in a manner that his legs were touching the floor, it has been alleged that it is a case of murder whereas the police authorities are trying to project it to be a case of suicide. In addition to this, it is also said that the incident took place at the instance of the hooligans associated with the rival party, the ruling Trinamool Congress.

Whereas, on the part of police it has been alleged by the petitioner that the police authorities are pressurising the family members of the deceased to perform the post-mortem and trying to establish the case as a suicide instead of homicide.

Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the deceased is a victim of post-poll violence and under the orders of this Court he had returned to his house and thereafter the incident had taken place. 

It has also been stated that there is every possibility that the post-mortem may not be done in the proper manner and an attempt may be made to destroy the evidence.

The Counsel appearing for the State informed the bench that the body of the deceased has been kept in the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital and post-mortem can be performed by the expert team headed by the Department of Forensic Science of that Hospital and videography of the post-mortem can be done.

However, the bench opined that the post-mortem of the body of deceased Arjun Chaurasia should be done at the Command Hospital which is stated to be only 5-6 kilometers away from R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. 

The bench noted that "The Head of the Command Hospital will constitute a team of experts for the purpose of the said post mortem and at the time of post-mortem, expert from AIIMS, Kalyani as also the Head of the Department of Forensic Science, R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital can remain present. The CJM, South 24-Parganas will also remain present at the time of the post mortem. The videography of the post-mortem will be done."

In addition to this, the bench has directed the Commissioner of Police, Kolkata to ensure that the body of the deceased is shifted from R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital to the Command Hospital safely and provide proper police protection to the family members of the deceased.

Cause Title: Smt. Amrita Pandey vs. The Union of India and others