Calcutta HC extends ban on Mukul Roy's entry to Nadia by 8 weeks

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court extended the ban on Mukul Roy's entry to Nadia district by another eight weeks.

The Trinamool Congress had filed an FIR against Roy in connection with the murder of party's sitting MLA Satyajit Biswas. The latter was an MLA from Krishnagunj and was murdered after he had gone to attend a function at Majdiha on the eve of Saraswati Puja.

The police arrested six persons in connection with the murder of Biswas including prime accused Satyajit Pundari. Biswas was an important figure in the Matua community.

On February 13, when Roy's application was moved before it, the court refused to grant anticipatory bail "at this stage" to the BJP leader, "keeping in mind the gravity of the crime", but granted protection to him from arrest till March 7. He was however, barred from entering Nadia.

Appearing for the state, public prosecutor Saswata Mukherjee on Tuesday submitted a progress report in a sealed cover before the court and sought time to make its presentation against Roy's prayer since some phone calls are being analysed by the investigators. The court also observed that it appears that investigation is in progress and certain forensic reports are awaited. It said there should be balancing between the requirements of investigation and liberty of the petitioner and as such Roy would not be allowed to enter Nadia district, within the jurisdiction of which the murder took place on February 9. Roy had moved the anticipatory bail prayer before the high court after being named in an FIR as a conspirator in the killing of the MLA.

A division Bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and M Mandal observed that Roy would not be allowed to enter Nadia.

The matter will come up for hearing on April 24.