CBI to conduct forensic psychological assessment of nine arrested in Birbhum killings

By PTI

RAMPURHAT: The CBI has decided to conduct forensic psychological assessment of the nine persons arrested in connection with the killings in Birbhum district of West Bengal, an officer said on Saturday.

During the assessments, one psychologist will be present to note their body language as well as facial expressions, which will be treated as evidence, he said.

“Forensic psychological assessment will be used while grilling the nine suspects. This is to ascertain whether these persons are telling the truth or lying,” the officer told PTI.

“A psychologist will be present and he will file his findings as a report, while will be produced as evidence in the court,” the officer added.

The decision was taken after CBI found inconsistencies in their statements about the incident, another official said.

The probe agency has interrogated the officer-in-charge of the firefighters who were involved in the rescue operations at the 10 houses in Bogtui village which were set ablaze after the killing of local TMC leader Bhadu Sheikh, the officer said.

The CBI has also decided to send samples of the eight people killed in the carnage for DNA tests.

“The affected families have told us that they were unable to identify the bodies. The DNA tests will help us in identifying them,” the officer said.

CBI sleuths seized two e-rickshaws and a motorcycle, which the villagers claimed were used to bring bombs and jars filled with petrol, an official said.

“The vehicles were seized from neighbouring Kumadda village. We have got eye-witnesses who saw people using these vehicles to bring in bombs and petrol-filled jars,” he said.

Charred bodies of eight people were recovered from Bogtui village in Rampurhat police station area of the district, hours after the murder of the TMC leader and panchayat leader Bhadu Sheikh.

The incident, which happened on March 21, sent shockwaves across the nation with the Calcutta High Court directing the CBI to take over the probe.

Meanwhile, Debasish Chakraborty has been appointed as the new inspector-in-charge of Rampurhat police station in place of suspended officer Tridip Pramanik.