Kolkata, Dec 2 (NationPress) On Tuesday, the Bidhannagar Police took action by appealing to the Calcutta High Court against the anticipatory bail that was granted to Rajganj Block Development Officer (BDO) Prashant Barman, who stands accused of the murder of a gold trader in the Duttabad region.

In their petition, the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate officials contested the bail, alleging that the BDO presented forged documents to secure his anticipatory bail in this murder investigation.

This petition is a direct challenge to the order issued by the Barasat Court on November 26, which had approved the anticipatory bail for Prashant Barman. Reports indicate that the High Court has accepted the petition and may hear it later this week.

Sources from the police revealed that the BDO's attorney informed the Barasat Court that Prashant Barman was not present at his residence in New Town on the day of the crime.

The defense claimed that Barman was staying at a guest house, presenting a receipt as evidence within his bail application.

However, police allege that this receipt is fraudulent.

The police further asserted that the gold trader was brought to the BDO's residence in New Town and that Barman was indeed present there on the incident day. Thus, they contend that the BDO has misled the court.

On November 29, Prashant Barman's anticipatory bail was put into effect after he appeared in the Bidhannagar Sub-divisional Court, where he was granted bail on a bond of Rs 50,000.

While the Barasat Court had initially granted bail on November 26, it became effective only after Barman's personal appearance at the Bidhannagar Court. Court sources indicated that he has been instructed to assist with the ongoing investigation.

The family of the deceased gold trader expressed concerns regarding the police investigation following the bail approval, claiming they had filed a complaint against BDO Prashant Barman.

Despite the arrests of several close associates of the BDO, including a driver and friends, the BDO himself has not faced arrest. The gold trader's family is questioning the circumstances under which he obtained anticipatory bail despite a formal complaint against him.

On October 28, gold trader Swapan Kamilya was abducted from a gold shop in Duttabad.

Later, while trying to report a missing person at Bidhannagar South Police Station, Kamilya's family learned of a body discovered in the Jatragachi area of New Town. They recognized the body upon viewing Swapan's photograph.

Subsequently, a case was lodged against the perpetrators under the relevant sections for kidnapping and murder.

The family of the deceased gold trader alleges that Rajganj BDO Prashant Barman was the mastermind behind the crime.

The family maintains that the BDO was involved in both the kidnapping and murder of the gold trader.

In connection with this case, the Bidhannagar Police have apprehended five individuals, including the BDO's driver, Raju Dhali, a close friend, Tufan Thapa, and local Trinamool leaders Sajal and Vivekananda Sarkar.