CBI can’t prove my role in murder, says Bimal Gurung

Kolkata: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung on Wednesday claimed in a city court that the CBI had not been able to provide any specific proof of his involvement in the murder of All India Gorkha League chief Madan Tamang.

Mr Gurung’s counsel Milan Mukherjee submitted before chief sessions judge Kundan Kumar Kumai that specific proof had to be provided by the prosecutor even for framing of charges against an accused. Hearing in the matter was adjourned for the day on Wednesday and will resume on Thursday.

The city sessions court is hearing arguments for framing of charges against 46 accused for the murder of Tamang. 

Mr Mukherjee dismissed the prosecution’s claim that Mr Gurung and other GJM leaders had conspired to kill Tamang as baseless. He claimed that the CBI has not been able to provide any proof on the matter.

“The CBI has claimed that Kalia, who had allegedly attacked Tamang with a sharp weapon, was Gurung’s bodyguard. But just being seen beside him at some public rallies does not mean he was the bodyguard, he could be a party supporter,” Mr Mukherjee submitted.

Mr Gurung and other GJM leaders accused in the murder were allegedly in Kalimpong when Tamang was killed in Darjeeling on May 21, 2010. According to Mr Mukherjee, though it has been claimed that mobile phones of some leaders including that of Mr Gurung were under surveillance, the prosecutors have not submitted any transcript of alleged conversations among them to prove that they had conspired to get Tamang killed.

Claiming that five years of investigation by the premier agency had produced only hypothesis and unsubstantiated allegations, Mr Mukherjee prayed that it was a case of no evidence against Mr Gurung and some others he represented. The CBI has prayed for framing of charges against the accused, among whom are the top brass of the GJM.