The Calcutta High Court has directed Rajganj Block Development Officer Prashanta Barman to surrender within 48 hours in connection with the murder case involving a Salt Lake businessman, while ordering the CID to submit a report on the progress of its investigation.
The division bench headed by the Chief Justice directed Barman to surrender by 3.30pm on October 8. The court also ordered the authorities to begin the process of preparing an inventory of his assets and taking steps for their attachment, according to a report by Sangbad Pratidin.
Barman has allegedly been absconding for several months. The case has also drawn the attention of the Supreme Court, which had issued observations and directions concerning the matter. During the hearing, the High Court questioned how directions issued by the Supreme Court were allegedly being disregarded and how Barman could continue to receive a government salary while remaining untraceable.
The court’s order places the case at the intersection of criminal investigation and public administration. Barman is a serving block development officer, a senior field-level administrative official responsible for coordinating government programmes and local development work. The report does not state whether he has been formally removed from service or whether any departmental proceedings have been completed.
The case also includes an earlier incident in the Rajarhat-New Town area. Several months ago, Barman allegedly struck a pedestrian while driving at night. He was subsequently accused of creating a disturbance on the road while intoxicated and behaving aggressively. Police detained him and produced him before the Barasat court the following day. After receiving bail in that case, he allegedly went missing again, according to the report.
The High Court referred to a Supreme Court judgment while observing that property attachment could be ordered when an accused remains absconding. The direction to list Barman’s assets and start attachment proceedings indicates that the court is seeking enforcement measures beyond repeated summons or appearance orders.
The CID has been asked to report to the court on the investigation’s progress. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for December 14. Until the investigation and court proceedings establish the facts, the allegations against Barman remain allegations and do not constitute a finding of guilt.
