Santanu, Sudip ‘murder’ cases: TJU unhappy over ‘snail paced’ probe, seeks Tripura HC Chief Justice’s intervention

The Tripura Journalists’ Union (TJU) has sought the intervention of Chief Justice of High Court of Tripura – AA Kureshi, into the alleged murder cases of two journalists in the State in 2017 – Santanu Bhowmik and Sudip Datta Bhowmik.

“We have written to the Chief Justice of Tripura High Court seeking his intervention into the investigation process of both the alleged murder cases,” said Pranab Sarkar, Secretary of TJU.

In its letter to the Tripura High Court Chief Justice, AA Kureshi, the TJU has sought his intervention for a speedy investigation and disposal of both the alleged murder cases.

The TJU in its letter expressed dismay over the ‘snail paced’ investigation process of both the cases.

“We urge the Chief Justice to look into the matter, as to why even after three years of investigations, the cases are not disposed,” the TJU said in its letter.

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It was on September 20, 2017 that a young 28-year-old TV reporter, Santanu Bhowmik was allegedly murdered by miscreants while he was on duty covering violent clashes between the workers of CPI-M and IPFT at Mandai in West Tripura district.

Later in the same year on November 21, 50-year-old crime reporter of a popular Bengali daily – Syandan Patrika, Sudip Datta Bhowmik was allegedly shot dead by a Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel inside the headquarters of 2nd Battalion of the paramilitary force.

The then Left-Front Government in Tripura had initiated investigations into both the cases under Special Investigation Team (SIT).

However, the journalists’ bodies in the State were not satisfied with the investigations by the SIT and demanded for probe into both the cases by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

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Later during the election campaigning for the State Assembly in Tripura in 2018, investigations into both the alleged murder cases became a key agenda for the political parties.

The BJP-led Tripura Government after wresting power in the State ordered for a CBI probe into both the cases.

However, the Tripura Journalists’ Union has expressed disappointment over the ‘slow pace’ at which the investigations are being conducted by the CBI.