Why Was a Bengal Leader Expelled After Requesting an NIA Investigation?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Suvendu Kumar Das expelled for seeking NIA probe.
- Confidence in state police questioned.
- Serious bomb blast resulted in casualties.
- Political loyalty vs. public safety concerns.
- Implications for party dynamics in West Bengal.
Kolkata, July 24 (NationPress) A recent plea filed in the Calcutta High Court for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation into a bomb explosion in West Bengal has resulted in the expulsion of a district-level Trinamool Congress leader from the party. Following directives from the party’s general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee, Suvendu Kumar Das, who served as vice-president of the Trinamool Congress East Burdwan district committee and is also a practicing advocate, has been expelled for life.
Trinamool Congress’ East Burdwan district president, Rabindranath Chatterjee, confirmed the news, indicating that Das had filed a petition on Wednesday requesting an NIA investigation related to a bomb blast incident that occurred in Rajua village on July 4.
Chatterjee stated that Das acted without consulting party leadership. “I learned that Das had filed a petition at the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday morning for an NIA probe. I am perplexed as to why he did this. I had informed my leadership about the situation. Last night, we received instructions that Das should be expelled for life, and we acted accordingly,” Chatterjee explained.
He emphasized that the party had complete trust in the competence of the state police, and Das’s request for an NIA probe was viewed as an act against the party.
After his expulsion, Das could not be reached for comment.
Following his court filing for an NIA investigation, he stated that his application aimed to protect the safety of the local community. “There was a significant explosion, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. A house was destroyed. This was not a minor incident,” Das remarked.
On July 4, one person lost their life, and three others were severely injured due to a crude bomb blast in East Burdwan district’s Katwa. In the aftermath, Chatterjee alleged that crude bombs were being manufactured in a residence to target him.
Authorities seized two firearms, ammunition, and two kilograms of materials used for crude bomb manufacturing from the home of Tufan Chowdhury, the primary suspect in the Rajua village bomb blast. He has since been remanded to jail custody for 14 days by the Katwa court.