[Anis Khan death] "A grave and emergent situation:" Calcutta High Court takes suo motu cognizance

The Calcutta High Court on Monday took suo motu cognizance of the alleged murder of student leader Anis Khan, who was found dead outside his home in Howrah’s Amta area. .After the matter was mentioned before Justice Rajasekhar Mantha citing extreme urgency, the Court observed,"A grave and emergent situation is stated to have emerged. In a shocking turn of events, one Anis Khan who is a social activist is stated to have been murdered. The said Anis Khan is stated to have publicly raised voice, inter alia, against donations being demanded by educational institutions and the poor condition of certain hospitals in Uluberia.".According to a report by The Wire, after 27-year-old Khan was found dead outside his home, his parents alleged that he was thrown off the roof of the building by four police officers who had come to search for their son..On Monday, the Court was informed that on February 19, civic volunteers/personnel of the Amta Police, stated to be acting at the instance of the Bagnan Police and under their pressure, arrived at Khan's residence to interrogate him.When the police reached his residence, they met his father on the ground floor and went upstairs to speak with Khan on the third floor. It was alleged that he was beaten up, murdered and thrown off the building from the higher floor..Counsel appearing on behalf of Khan's family informed the Court that the authorities have offered a job to Khan’s brother, with a view to placate the situation. He also apprehended that the investigation may be frustrated and compromised since the allegations are primarily against the members of the ruling dispensation..The Court called for a response from the State and directed the Registry to number the writ petition as a suo motu petition. The matter will be heard on February 24..Senior Advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya and Advocates Koustav Bagchi, Sabyasachi Chatterjee, Shamim Ahamed, Debayan Ghosh, Priti Kar and Sayan Banerjee appeared for Khan's family.Senior Standing Counsel Amitesh Banerjee appeared for the State..[Read Order]