Business twist to Tripura MLA killing

AGARTALA, March 18: The CBI has taken over the probe into the murder of Congress MLA Madhusudan Saha who was gunned down on February 20 by unidentified assailants near his residence. The Opposition Congress had been vocal in demanding a CBI probe into the incident, to which the government later conceded. Two senior officers of the apex investigating authority (Calcutta wing) - Satyaranjan Banerjee and Amalendu Dhar - arrived here yesterday and held discussions with the first inquiry officer of the case. The CBI sleuths were also handed over papers and other related materials by the criminal investigation department under state police. The government had earlier decided that preliminary investigations would be carried out by the CID prior to the arrival of CBI officers. Sources said the CBI officers visited the residence of the slain legislator and spoke to the family. Initial investigations revealed that Saha's murder was not a political one but was related to business, sources said. "The CBI will launch fresh investigations into the case," a source added. The Congress today expressed satisfaction over the CBI taking over the investigation. Chief minister Manik Sarkar and education minister Anil Sarkar yesterday visited the slain MLA's residence. The Chief Minister assured the family that the culprits would be brought to book and government would do everything to help the family. In the just-concluded session of the Assembly, the Left Front government was criticised by Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman saying no minister or leader from the ruling party bothered to visit Saha's family after his killing. Sarkar informed the House that he intended to visit Saha's family but had been advised against it on security grounds.