Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Sept 15: The Calcutta High Court has ordered the formation of a new medical board in connection with the deaths of two BJP workers in Khejuri, East Midnapore, after a second autopsy revealed multiple injuries on their bodies. The move comes after a fresh post-mortem conducted at state-run SSKM Hospital showed 24 injury marks on one body and several on the other, raising serious questions about the earlier claim that the deaths were caused by electrocution.

A division bench led by Justice Debangshu Basak directed the West Bengal Health Department to constitute a new medical board to evaluate the findings and determine which injuries were fatal. The court has asked for a comprehensive medical opinion, with the report to be submitted by September 18, when the case will be heard again.

The high court also expressed concern over the conduct of the investigating officer, following revelations that the officer had made multiple calls to the medical examiner both before and after the initial autopsy. On September 8, the court had asked for call records of 17 accused individuals and the medical officer involved in the first autopsy conducted at Tamluk Medical College.

The investigation had earlier declared the deaths as accidental, citing electrocution. However, the victims’ families alleged murder and petitioned the court for a second post-mortem. The second autopsy findings sharply contradicted the original report and prompted judicial scrutiny into possible interference by local authorities.

The court also questioned the role of the district police and indicated that the investigating officer’s actions were not above suspicion. The judges noted that allowing discrepancies in autopsy reports and unexplained communication between investigators and medical officers could undermine the integrity of the investigation.

The victims, Sujit Das and Sujit Paik, died on July 12 while attending a cultural event in their village. The case has since become politically sensitive, with the BJP accusing the state administration of suppressing evidence and protecting those responsible. The Calcutta High Court’s latest directive is seen as a critical step toward establishing accountability and ensuring a fair investigation into the deaths.