Kolkata, Oct 6 (PTI) The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed absconding Block Development Officer Prasanta Barman, an accused in a murder case, to surrender before a trial court by 3.30 pm on October 8, warning that his immovable properties would be attached if he failed to comply.
A division bench presided over by Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge observed that courts must deal strictly with those who show scant respect for the law.
“Any person, who has no respect for law, will have to be dealt with strictly,” the bench said, noting that Barman had failed to surrender despite directions from both the high court and the Supreme Court.
The bench, also comprising Justice Om Narayan Rai, directed that Barman’s salary and any service benefits available to him be suspended, if these were still being paid.
The bench also noted that the state’s lawyer did not have instructions from the authorities on whether Barman was still in service.
The name of Barman, the BDO of Rajganj, surfaced in connection with the alleged murder of gold merchant Swapan Kamila.
Kamila went missing from the Duttabad area of Salt Lake on October 28, 2025, and his body was found near Jatragachi in New Town the following day. His family has accused Barman of involvement in the death.
The high court had cancelled Barman’s bail on December 12, 2025, and directed him to surrender before the court of the additional chief judicial magistrate.
His special leave petition challenging the order was dismissed by the Supreme Court on January 19, 2026, which directed him to surrender within four days. However, he failed to do so and remains absconding, the high court noted.
Taking on record a report submitted by the state CID, which is investigating the case, the bench directed the agency to file a further progress report on December 14, when the matter will be heard again. PTI AMR SOM
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