Kolkata: Arrested Trinamool Congress leader Mohammad Iqbal, a key accused in the murder of a police officer here on February 12, was yesterday sent to CID custody till March 20 by a city court.
“Iqbal has been remanded to the custody of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) till March 20,” Iqbal’s counsel Ashok Mukherjee said. Mukherjee seeking Iqbal’s bail contended that the councillor’s name was not there in the first information report and and he had no motive to kill the police officer.
On the other hand, the prosecution sought 14 days’ CID custody. After hearing both parties, the court of chief judicial magistrate (Alipore) remanded Iqbal to custody till March 20.
There was tension in the court premises as over 200 supporters of Iqbal shouted slogans and staged demonstration as the Trinamool Congress leader was produced before the court amid tight security.
The administration had to deploy Rapid Action Force to rein in the demonstrators after they tried to block the vehicle in which Iqbal was being escorted out of the court after the hearing.
Iqbal’s daughter Saba said her father was a victim of political conspiracy hatched by the opposition. Saba, however, admitted that his father was present at the place of the incident on February 12 and went to spot after a fellow Trinamool councillor asked him to come following a clash between student activists. IANS
