Investigation of 21st Aug grenade attack :The errant IOs must be put in the dock

THERE is no doubt that there was a deliberate effort to divert the course of the investigation of 21st Aug grenade attack, during the tenure of the erstwhile 4-party alliance government. It needs little convincing also that the process of the police investigation, and the way other investigations related to it were handled, was politically motivated, and subsequent developments have clearly pointed to the alleged role of the then home minister. This was a blatant effort to influence the course of justice a cognizable offence under our law.
There were several elements that were involved in this shady business. One of those, the role of the police investigators, has not only been acknowledged by the police authorities, the delinquent persons had also been identified. No less a person than the IGP had acknowledged the complicity of the three IOs, and we were given to understand that these people would be brought to justice.
Thus we are a bit surprised by the remarks of the police chief that the police are not in a position to initiate legal proceedings against the three investigating officers, since they have already retired. One wonders whether those responsible for upholding the rule of law, comprehend the gravity of the matter and the serious implications had the devious action been successful and had not the caretaker government ordered reinvestigation of the case. The travails of Joj Miah are too well known to be recounted once again. Surely some innocents would have gone to the gallows.
Hence, we could not disagree more with the IGP's contention. As far as we know, no government servant is immune from being held liable for any of his or her actions during service, which have the potential for inflicting, or had caused harm to the nation, even after retirement. The police chief's comments suggest that the three officers might go scot-free in spite of committing a criminal offense. We feel that nothing should stand in the way of getting these three police personnel to account for their act.
However, there is much more to it than merely bringing these people to justice. There are some fundamental questions related to national security that must be answered. It is difficult to believe that the police tampered with the investigation on their own. We would like to know who all were behind them, and what was their motivation, and who were they trying to protect. Unless we get answers to these questions our security may be at stake. And that is why the deviant IOs must be proceeded against to get to the truth of the matter.