The investigation into the killing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Bhima Mandavi has led to a conflict between the Centre and the Chhattisgarh government. Ahead of the recently concluded Lok Sabha election, the state government had declared the constitution of a special investigation team for probe into the Jhiram Ghati attack and had sought required files from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The NIA had, however, declined the request.
Days later, the NIA has now sought files concerning the case of Bhima Mandavi killing from the Chhattisgarh government. However, the state government is unwilling to share the information as it wants the investigation to be handled at the state level.
Notably, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is slated to hold a review meeting of the NIA wherein he is expected to take stock of all pending cases with the central investigating agency. It is expected that if the NIA fails to procure required files from the Chhattisgarh government before the meeting, it might lead to fresh confrontation between the Centre and the state.