At a time when there are regular reports of rampant extortions and ‘negotiation raj’ seriously affecting government’s contractual works High Court of Tripura has taken strong view of the disturbing trends and asked the concerned authority to take appropriate steps.
Prasenjit Das a local of Bodhjungnagar was alleged to have stabbed a contractor engaged in road construction works for the government as his demand for money was not met by the contractor. The victim contractor was rushed to hospital and a case was filed in the Bodhjungnagar Police Station.
In the meantime Das’ advocate Senior Lawyer Subrata Sarkar prayed for his pre arrest bail.
But the High Court took exception to the bail plea and instead asked the accused’s lawyer to produce Das before the jurisdictional court within 48 hours. Later, Justice Lodh, however, allowed Das’ lawyer senior advocate Subrata Sarkar’s prayer for withdrawal of the bail application.
Justice Lodh not only ordered immediate surrender of the accused Prasenjit Das but also asked the DGP to ensure his production before the court in case the accused failed to surrender as ordered.
Besides, the High Court also asked the police chief to look into the allegations of similar unlawful activities and ensure that such activities were not repeated in any parts of the state.
“The state DGP shall take necessary inputs through his agencies whether such unlawful demands are made to the contractors undertaking infrastructure development works all over the state so that the culprits are booked and punished in accordance with law”, ordered Justice Lodh.
He also observed, “the matter involves public interest. It is the allegation that the accused petitioner has created obstacles in the process if the construction works of roads as part of infrastructure development in the state. This is an attack upon the public in general and not only to the victim. The court will not allow this type of unalwaful and unruly activities which will ultimately affect the interest of the public”.
( Courtesy Tripura Times)
