Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) teams probing post-poll violence in West Bengal have started including women investigators conversant with Bengali language. The decision has been taken considering the fact that often women victims, especially in rape cases, are hesitant to interact freely with male officers.
The decision had been taken after the matter was discussed at the CBI headquarters in New Delhi. These women officers will be fielded in those districts which had been the worst affected by post-poll violence.
"From our past experiences, often female victims, especially in cases of rape, molestation and outrage of modesty, hesitate to speak to male investigating officers," a CBI official said on strict condition of anonymity.
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"Often these victims fail to speak out or share important clues with the male investigating officers out of this hesitation. However, they become more relaxed when questioned by women investigating officers. So we decided to include one or two women officers in each of the four teams probing the post-poll violence. And often they have to interact with some female victims who might not be conversant in English or Hindi. So preferences are being given to women officers with workable knowledge of Bengali."
A team of CBI sleuths Thursday noon reached the residence of slain BJP supporter Avijit Sarkar's residence at Kankurganchi in north Kolkata. They were escorted by the personnel of central armed forces. Four officers from the homicide department of Kolkata Police also went there with the CBI team. However, Sarkar's elder brother Bishwajit refused them entry into the residence. Soon after that the homicide officials left the spot.
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After that, the CBI officers interacted with Bishwajit Sarkar for a long time. To feel the pulse of the locality, the team included some officers who are conversant in Bengali. The accompanying photographer took pictures of the spot of the murder. The entire conversation between the CBI officials and Bishwajit Sarkar was video- recorded.
CBI sources said that they will soon send an initial report to Delhi. The report will have mention of nine FIRS filed on this issue. Sources further said that some officials of Kolkata Police are also under the scanner and some of them might be summoned for questioning at the CBI office.
