The cop-realtor nexus seems to have taken its toll on the investigation of the Vedic Village arson case.

The last investigation officer was removed for his alleged involvement with the village authorities. And now questions are also being raised over the neutrality of the current one.

Zulfikar Ali Mollah, the former Investigation Officer and a Sub-Inspector of Rajarhat police station, allegedly had links with Vedic Village authorities, especially Rajkishore Modi, the managing director of the resort.

Sukumar Chatterjee, the present Investigation Officer and Inspector in Charge (IC) of Rajarhat police station, is reported to be close to the authorities as well.

According to a senior officer of the district police, the authorities had received several complaints against Mollah. “He was spotted meeting Modi several times. But we could not do anything about it,” the officer said. “But after the district Superintendent of Police received complaints against him and the irate locals, along with TMC supporters, gheraoed the Rajarhat Police station, the authorities decided to remove him.”

Rahul Srivastava, the Superintendent of Police, North 24-Parganas, denied receiving complaints against Mollah. “He was conducting raids, but we needed a senior officer to handle the investigation,” he said. “So on August 25, I issued an order for his removal.” It was purely an administrative decision. “There was no allegation against the officer,” he added.

The locals allege they have spotted Mollah and even Chatterjee meeting Modi and his associates in the Vedic Village premises.

“After receiving complaints from the villagers, we tried to track the officer and found that their allegations are true,” said Jyotipriya Mallick, observer of Trinamool Congress, district committee.

... contd.