The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday arrested Trinamool Congress leader and former convener of the People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) Chhatradhar Mahato in connection with the murder of CPI (M) leader Prabir Mahato in 2009.
The arrest comes hours after 30 seats in southwestern Bengal, where the leader wields considerable influence, went to the polls.
The NIA had moved an appeal before the high court challenging a special court order restraining the agency from arresting Mahato in connection with the murder of a local CPI(M) leader in 2009 at Lalgarh in the Jangalmahal region, which was then a hotbed of Maoist activities.
On a plea by the NIA seeking custodial interrogation of Chhatradhar Mahato, a division bench ruled that the accused would appear before the investigating officer at the task force’s Salt Lake office at 11 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
But, Mahato had failed to appear before the special NIA court, citing various reasons through his lawyer. The NIA has accused Mahato under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, apart from waging war against the country.
Within hours of the polls ending in Jhargram district, a 40-member team of NIA officials arrested Chhatradhar Mahato from his Lalgarh house.
Meanwhile, Mahato was also spotted at Mamata’s rally at Jhargram and is claimed to be West Bengal Chief Minister’s close aide in Jhargram district who tries to mobilize votes in favor of the TMC after the party did badly in the Lok Sabha polls.
