Put Ashok Todi to trial in Rizwanur case: Supreme Court (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court Tuesday cleared the deck for the trial of Kolkata-based businessman Ashok Todi in the mysterious death of his son-in-law Rizwanur Rehman.

An apex court bench of Justices P. Sathasivam and B.S. Chauhan upheld the decision of the single judge of the Calcutta High Court directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the case.

Speaking for the bench, Justice Sathasivam said the single judge was “fully justified in asking the CBI to investigate Rizawanur Rehman’s unnatural death case”.

The computer graphic teacher was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Kolkata Sep 21, 2007. His body was found on the railway tracks between Dumdum and Bidan Nagar police station.

He had married Todi’s daughter Priyanka Aug 18, 2007. The marriage faced huge opposition as it was solemnised without the consent of Priyanka’s family.

There were allegations that some high level state policemen, acting at the instance of Ashok Todi, were harassing Rizwanur.

In the wake of these allegations, the single judge of the Calcutta High Court Oct 16, 2007 ordered a probe by the CBI, which found Todi guilty of abetment of suicide of Rizwanur.

The single bench ordered the investigating agency to file chargesheet before the trial court on the charges of abetment of suicide.

However, the division bench of the high court May 18, 2010 set aside the said order of the single judge and ordered a fresh probe by the CBI directing registering a case of murder.

This order of the division bench was challenged by all, including the CBI, Kishwar Jahan mother of Rizwanur Rehman, and Ashok Todi.