In 2006, the state vigilance commission had initiated an inquiry against the police officer following a written complaint filed by a Murshidabad resident on assets of the officer being disproportionate to his income. However, Islam was never shown a copy of the letter despite requests. Also, the seal on the envelope showed that the letter was posted from a post office in Salt Lake, near the vigilance commission office.
Islam, who is now IG, Enforcement Branch, had filed a petition in 2006 challenging the power of the state vigilance commission to conduct an inquiry against an IPS officer. Subsequently, the High Court had directed the state home secretary to hold an inquiry in presence of a home department and a vigilance commission official. On April 9, 2008, the government informed the court that the home department wanted to drop the inquiry, following which Islam filed the petition alleging harassment.
Islam’s counsel advocate Bilyadal Bhattacharya today argued that the vigilance commission was biased in its inquiry. The court should hold those who had conducted the “illegal” inquiry accountable. Referring to the order of the home department to drop the case, Bhattacharya added that it was vigilance commission that had initiated the inquiry to harass him. The next hearing is scheduled for May 13.