Bengal CID Files Charge Sheet against Bimal Gurung and 71 others

Darjeeling: State CID on Monday filed the charge-sheet for the June 8, 2017 case in which Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters and leaders had locked horns with security forces in Darjeeling while a Cabinet meeting was on in the hill town. Around 72 persons including Bimal Gurung have been named in the charge-sheet.
A CID team on Monday filed the charge-sheet on Monday at the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Darjeeling. "A total of 72 persons has been named in the charge-sheet including Bimal Gurung, Asha Gurung, Roshan Giri, Dipen Malay, Prakash Gurung and Swaraj Thapa," stated Pankaj Prasad, Assistant Public Prosecutor, Darjeeling.
A total of 7 persons including Binay Tamang, Mandip Sharma, Amod Mukhia, Jyoti Kumar Rai, Dewraj Dewan and John Rai has been discharged owing to lack of evidence.
"However, the charge-sheet stated that investigation is still open and that the CID can file a supplementary charge-sheet later on," added Prasad.
The accused have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including Sections 307 (attempt to murder); 120B (criminal conspiracy), along with different sections of the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) under the leadership of Gurung had locked horns with the security forces on June 8, 2017.
The GJM party was on agitation in the Hills.
Police reports claim more than 45 security force personnel were injured in
the clash. A police booth was set on fire. Around 15 police vehicles were torched along with a state government Bus. Army was deployed in Darjeeling, Ghoom and Kurseong to control the situation.
On that day, the GJM had taken out rallies and staged a sit-in demonstration a short distance away from Raj Bhawan where the Cabinet meeting was taking place. Later, the demonstration turned violent and clashes ensued. The GJM in turn had alleged that many of their supporters were also injured in the clashes. Police had lodged a suo moto FIR and a case had been started at Darjeeling Sadar Police Station on June 9. The case was handed over to the CID on June 29, 2017.
On September 6, arrest warrants were issued against Gurung, Asha Gurung, Roshan Giri and 5 front rung GJM leaders. The CJM Court had ordered them to appear in court and surrender in November 2017.
Bimal Gurung, Asha Gurung, Roshan Giri and others failed to appear on the designated date. On March 28, 2018, the CID had prayed these absconders be declared as offenders and their movable and immovable properties be attached.
The court then issued an order of attachment of Gurung's house. It was attached on August 2. Following this, properties of other leaders including Prakash Gurung were also attached as per the court order. Prior to this, in June, Bimal Gurung and Roshan Giri's names were struck off from the electoral rolls in Darjeeling.

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