Plea filed in Calcutta HC seeking CBI probe into murder of advocate who was gunned down on October 4

A PIL has been filed in the Calcutta High Court seeking directions to task the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the death of an advocate and social worker named Manish Shukla who was shot dead on October 4 in Titagarh, West Bengal. .The petitioner also calls for the Court to monitor this investigation. .It is further urged that the State of West Bengal be directed to pay compensation to the family of the deceased under the provisions of Section 357A of the Code of Criminal Procedure..The petitioner, Advocate Priyanka Tibrewal has stated that the deceased victim was mercilessly shot down by unidentified assailants riding on motorcycles, near the Titagarh Police Station at about 8:30 PM last Sunday..Alleging that the murder took place in a pre-planned manner, the petition states that Shukla was shot in a crowded area "which is indicative of an abysmal law and order situation and complete disregard for the civic machinery of the State.".The petitioner goes on to submit that there have been startling developments reported by the media since, which made the filing of this petition necessary..It is noted that while the killing took place meters away from a police station, the CCTV footage from a medical store nearby has been destroyed. Other CCTV footage has also not been released citing malfunctioning of the camera, adding to concerns that there may be foul play. .Based on statements by local bystanders, the petitioner submits that one of the gunmen who shot the victim has been associated with various political leaders and may have had a political motive in murdering Shukla..The plea adds, "The Cabinet Minister of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Government of West Bengal and the Mayor of Kolkata, Firhad Hakim (in a video posted by news agency, Kolkata Today on Youtube) has stated that 'criminals in West Bengal don't use these kinds of weapons.'".In this backdrop, the petitioner queries, "does he personally know them or is associated with criminals here?".The petitioner further submits that the victim's family has communicated to her that the police are threatening them of dire consequences if they move the courts to seek legal recourse..It is alleged that the police are also privy to the pre-planned murder of Shukla, given that they were completely oblivious about the murder taking place in a relatively crowded area under their surveillance and in the vicinity of their office premises..It is also noted that Shukla was provided with security guards by the police authorities for his protection. However, on the day of the killing, the security guards had taken leave from duty..As such, the petitioner contends that investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department under the West Bengal police cannot be sustained in the eyes of law since the police authorities themselves are under scrutiny in the case..The prayers made by the petitioner are:Directions to transfer the probe into the death of Advocate Manish Shukla to the CBI, andThat the Court monitor the probe in the death of Advocate Manish Shukla, orDirections to constitute an SIT to investigate the murder of Advocate Manish Shukla under the supervision of the Court.