The CBI officers are apprehending an attack on the mastermind of Gyaneswari Express sabotage, Bapi Mahato and the other accused in the case who are in CBI’s custody. The realisation came after Bapi himself wrote in his confessional statement that he had been abducted by the Maoists who wanted to kill him and are now
threatening his family even after he has been taken into the CBI custody. The police suspects that besides Bapi, all other accused in the case are also on the Maoist radar and losing even one of them will give a major jolt to the investigation.
“Bapi Mahato himself has mentioned in his confessional statement that he and his family are under Maoist threat. The other accused might also feel insecure in case they also plan to confess,” said a top CBI officer in Delhi.
On being asked about the threat perception on the investigating officers in Jangalmahal, the officer said, “Even we work under constant threat. But if one CBI officer is killed, someone else will replace him. However, if the accused gets killed, the case falls flat. We want the accused to be punished by law. We do not want them dead in a blast or a Maoist encounter.” Recently, an SMS that threatened the CBI officers with dire consequences had fuelled rumours that the CBI has sought a shift of the case from Jhargram court to a city court, fearing an attack on themselves. However, later it was found to be a prank by a 12-year-old boy.