The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has informed the court that it is facing continued non-cooperation from the West Bengal Police in connection with the Beldanga Police Station case, intensifying the ongoing confrontation between Central and State law enforcement agencies.
In an application placed before the court, the Deputy Superintendent of Police and Chief Investigating Officer (CIO), NIA Kolkata, alleged that the Investigating Officer (IO) of Beldanga Police Station failed to hand over crucial case documents and alams (seized materials) related to Beldanga Police Station Case No. 51 of 2026, dated January 17, 2026. The case, linked to violence in Murshidabad district, has since been taken over by the NIA.
The central agency further submitted that the accused persons were not produced before the court on the scheduled date. A non-production report was filed by the Superintendent of Berhampore Central Correctional Home, stating that as many as 31 undertrial prisoners could not be produced due to the unavailability of police escorts.
Recording the submissions, the court observed that the failure of the local police to provide escorts directly resulted in the non-production of the accused, despite earlier judicial directions. The court noted that such lapses obstruct the investigation process and undermine compliance with court orders.
Taking cognisance of the allegations and the sequence of events, the court issued a series of strict directions. The Superintendent of Police, Murshidabad, has been asked to personally submit a detailed report responding to the NIA’s claims of non-cooperation. The Superintendent of Berhampore Central Correctional Home has been directed to ensure that the accused persons are produced before the court positively by February 12, 2026.
The court also ordered the Murshidabad SP to make adequate police escort arrangements for the next date of hearing. Additionally, the Investigating Officer of Beldanga Police Station has been directed to appear personally before the court and submit a written explanation detailing why the court’s order dated January 30, 2026, was not complied with. The Officer-in-Charge of Beldanga Police Station has been instructed to formally communicate the court’s directions to the IO to ensure immediate compliance.
The court has fixed February 12, 2026, as the next date of hearing for the production of the accused persons, the personal appearance of the Beldanga IO, and the submission of the report by the Murshidabad Superintendent of Police.
Relations between Central investigative agencies and the West Bengal Police have remained strained for several years, particularly in cases involving political or communal violence. This latest court intervention adds to a growing list of judicial observations highlighting institutional friction between the State police and Central agencies such as the NIA.
