Mon Aug 25 23:00:42 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the text, styled for a news organization like The Hindu, along with a brief summary:

**Summary:**

The Calcutta High Court rejected a plea to transfer the investigation of two deaths at a Muharram event in Purba Medinipur to the CBI. The court instead directed the West Bengal CID to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and provide a progress report within a month. The deaths are controversial, with conflicting claims of communal lynching and accidental electrocution. Conflicting post-mortem reports further complicate the case.

**News Article:**

**Calcutta High Court Orders SIT Probe into Muharram Deaths, Rejects CBI Plea**

**KOLKATA, August 26, 2025** – The Calcutta High Court has denied a request for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the deaths of two individuals at a Muharram event in Khejuri, Purba Medinipur, earlier this year. In a ruling delivered on Monday, Justice Tirthankar Ghosh directed the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter. The SIT is required to submit a progress report within one month.

The case stems from the deaths of Sujit Das, 23, and Sudhir Chandra Paik, 65, who were found deceased on July 12th at the venue of a Muharram programme in the Janka area of Khejuri. While the Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, has alleged that the deaths were the result of a communal lynching targeting BJP workers, the Trinamool Congress and the West Bengal Police have maintained that the deaths were caused by accidental electrocution.

The plaintiffs had sought a CBI probe, citing discrepancies in the initial investigation and the need for a fair and competent inquiry. However, Justice Ghosh rejected the plea, stating, “If I give it to the CBI, it will be just a gallery show.” The judge indicated that entrusting the investigation to the CBI at this juncture was not warranted.

A key factor in the court’s decision appears to be the conflicting post-mortem reports submitted. The initial autopsy, conducted at the district hospital, concluded that the deaths were due to electrocution. However, a second post-mortem, conducted at Kolkata’s Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER), revealed marks of assault on the bodies of the deceased.

“Why should there be such a diametrically opposite opinion?” Justice Ghosh questioned, noting the significant difference in the forensic findings. “The opinions are such that they can change the course of any investigation. These are corroborative evidence at the investigation stage that lead the investigating officer how to carry forward the investigation,” he added.

The SIT, to be led by the Deputy Inspector General of CID and comprising officers from the CID’s homicide department, will now be tasked with resolving these discrepancies and conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The court emphasized the importance of a swift and impartial investigation to uncover the truth behind the incident.

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