The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered the Crime Investigation Department (CID), West Bengal to start an inquiry into allegations that attempts were being made to recruit foreigners, especially agents of a Pakistani spy agency, ISI, to the Indian Army, by using fake documents. [Bishnu Chowdhury vs State of West Bengal].
Justice Rajasekhar Mantha was dealing with a case filed by Bishnu Chowdhury, who claimed that he was coerced, intimidated, and threatened to join two others, Mahesh Kumar Chowdhury and Raju Gupta, in committing a number of crimes in the State.
He admitted before the Court that he may have also participated to some extent in these crimes.
According to the petitioner, the two persons named have committed crimes such as the preparation of fake domicile certificates to enable persons to seek recruitment in the Indian Army, as well as services under the State of West Bengal in the Short Service Commission of the army and other central services.
The Court further recorded the following allegations levelled by the petitioner:
“They are also involved in committing murders and other offences on being hired by people. They also aided preparation of fake documents for recruitment of foreign nationals, particularly, persons from foreign spy agencies like ISI into the Indian Army.”
Taking a serious view of the matter, the Court proceeded to order the CID to start a probe into the matter.
“This Court considering the gravity of the allegations made by the petitioner directs the CID, West Bengal to record statements and/or complaints of the petitioner,” the judge ordered.
The Court proceeded to add the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Central government as respondents to the court proceedings. Further, the Ministry of Defence and the Army were also added as respondents.
“Let a report be filed by the CID, West Bengal and other respondents on the veracity of the allegations of the writ petitioner,” the Court has ordered, while adjourning the matter for further hearing on June 26.
In the meanwhile, the Hooghly Police was directed to protect the petitioner.
The petitioner appeared in person.
Senior Standing Counsel Amitesh Banerjee and advocate Suddhadev Adak represented the State.
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