A CBI source said: “Manna’s absence will not hamper the trial. He took over the case on 22 September 2007, a day after Rizwanur’s body was found from the tracks and the CID took the case on 24 September.”

“Manna only did some paper work and prepared the case dairy. He was not a vital part of the investigation,” said the source, adding that “as there was no FIR when he conducted the initial inquiry and the CBI lodged the first FIR after it took over the investigation, there is no reason to term Manna as the investigating officer.”

The source further said: “As a witness, he had a small part to play in the court. All the documents can be substantiated by any other officer.”

The source, however, said if the CID probe reveals any connection of Manna’s death with the Todis the case may be attached with the Rehman trial. “If the CID finds any accused in the Rizwanur case is connected to Manna’s death, the case will be attached with the Rehman’s case,” said the source.

The Railway police, meanwhile, have initiated a departmental probe against the officer-in-Charge of GRP, Sreerampore Somnath Bhattacaharya, who had recovered Manna’s body and sent it for postmortem to Sreerampur Walsh hospital. Manna body’s was strangely dubbed as ‘unidentified’, despite the recovery of his identity card from his person.

“A departmental inquiry has been initiated to probe if the GRP followed the due procedure in handling the case. We are trying to investigate why the autopsy of Manna’s body was conducted in a hurry. IG, Rail A K Sarkar will conduct the inquiry and submit the report soon. If any lapse is found, action will be taken against the guilty,” Additional Director General (Railways) Dilip Mitra said.