Draconian law to impose virtual emergency in West Bengal

CID to get more powers soon Debashis Konar TNN 06.11.2011 Kolkata: CID could soon be the sole investigator of cases under the Arms Act and Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in the state police. If this state government proposal is finally adopted, CID will double up as a police station for such cases. Local police stations won’t even register FIRs on these two acts.      With the CID headquartered at Bhavani Bhavan, all arms act and NDPS cases will be tried at Alipore court. In fact, anyone arrested and charged under these acts anywhere in the state will first be produced at Alipore court.      Before issuing the final notification, the government is seeking views of Calcutta high court to avoid any legal problems. A senior police officer said once the new act is notified, then the CID will have more power to handle terror cases. K. Jairaman, DIG, CID, said NDPS and arms act cases first need to be registered with the local police station. Only then can CID take control of a case. “But once the CID is given power to function as a police station for cases under these two acts, it can directly register cases and arrest suspects,” he said.      However,human rights activists fear this move can lead to police excesses. “If one is arrested on fabricated arms and narcotics charges from north Bengal, family members of the accused will find it difficult trying to get him out on bail. ,” said Dayamay Biswas, president, Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights.