SC stays HC directive on police role in Nandigram

The apex court, however, gave some respite to the West Bengal Police by asking the CBI, which is investigating the incident, not to initiate any legal proceedings in any court against police officials involved in the firing for now. The stay preventing registering of an FIR against the police is till December 17, when the CBI submits its report.

The apex court bench headed by chief Justice KG Balakrishnan said the probe by the CBI could be continued as per the earlier high court judgment.

The state government has challenged the high court order, indicting it for ?unjustified? firing on innocent people in Nandigram and direction for paying a uniform compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the 14 people killed, Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh to those injured in the firing.

Senior advocate KK Venugopals?s arguments for the West Bengal government that the high court?s findings compromised with the integrity of the order for CBI probe, did not find favour with the bench.

?Why are you making this an issue? Your idea should be to bring back normalcy in Nandigram,? the court observed.

?Why do you worry about CBI report? You can challenge if you find that CBI report is influenced by high court findings. You can always come to this court,? the bench added.

The bench also said that the government is ?assuming that the CBI is going to do something.? ?Fourteen people died and 160 injured and you call it a discriminate firing,? the bench said.

The bench further said the high court has only asked the investigating agency to identify the victims and offenders, and find out whether any crime was committed against an individual.

Solicitor general GE Vahanvati said it should be made clear that there was only a prima facie finding and the investigating agency will submit its inquiry report to the high court on December 17.