The matter was orally mentioned before Justice Sanjiv Khanna today (March 5th), who directed that the papers be placed before the CJI for appropriate listing. The Calcutta HC today issued an order transferring the investigation of an assault on ED officials in Sandeshkhali from the WB Police to the CBI. Additionally, the court directed that the custody of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh, apprehended by the WB police, be transferred to the central agency.
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NEW DELHI: The West Bengal government has approached the Supreme Court to contest a directive from the Calcutta High Court, which mandated a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into serious allegations against the now-suspended leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Shahjahan Sheikh. The accusations include an assault on officers from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) by Sheikh and his associates at Sandeshkhali.
This legal challenge by the state government was initiated shortly after the High Court’s decision was made, signaling the urgency and significance the state attributes to this matter.
The case was expediently brought to the Supreme Court’s attention by Senior Counsel Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi. During an oral mention, Dr. Singhvi presented the case before a bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
READ: Sandeshkhali Row | Calcutta HC Transfers Investigation of Attack on ED Officials to CBI
Justice Khanna subsequently ordered that the documentation be reviewed by the Chief Justice of India to decide on the scheduling for a hearing.
The backdrop of this legal battle is rooted in a distressing incident on January 5, where approximately 200 locals, allegedly mobilized by Sheikh, encircled and besieged ED officials. These officials were conducting a raid at Sheikh’s residence in Akunjipara as part of an investigation into a ration scam, a case in which Sheikh is believed to have significant connections.
The confrontation led to injuries among the ED officers, escalating the situation significantly. In response to the violence, West Bengal’s Governor, CV Ananda Bose, demanded Sheikh’s immediate arrest, highlighting the gravity of the incident.
Subsequent developments saw Sheikh being implicated in additional serious offenses, including sexual assault and illegal land acquisition in the Sandeshkhalli village of West Bengal. These allegations added layers of complexity to Sheikh’s legal troubles and intensified public and political scrutiny.
Criticism was also directed at the West Bengal police by the Calcutta High Court for their delayed response in apprehending Sheikh, despite the mounting allegations against him. The police’s inaction was spotlighted until they finally detained the elusive TMC leader on February 29, following a 55-day period during which Sheikh successfully avoided capture.
READ: Sandeshkhali Row | Calcutta HC Transfers Investigation of Attack on ED Officials to CBI
Following his arrest, the TMC took disciplinary action against Sheikh, suspending him from the party for a duration of six years, a move that came in the aftermath of his legal and ethical controversies. This sequence of events underscores the intricate and volatile interplay between law enforcement, political affiliations, and the pursuit of justice within the state of West Bengal.
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