Sheikh Shahjahan Case: High Court Orders Transfer To CBI For Investigation

In relation to the January 5 attack on Enforcement Directorate officers in Sandeshkhali, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered the West Bengal government to turn over Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, who is currently suspended, to the CBI.

Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya, sitting on a division bench, concurred that the state police "underplayed the entire situation" given that Shahjahan had been evading capture for more than 50 days prior to his detention on February 29.

The bench also nullified a previous directive that assembled state police personnel to form a special investigation team (SIT).

On January 5, a mob attacked the Enforcement Directorate team in Sandeshkhali, resulting in several injuries.

The attack took place when Sheikh Shahjahan's home was raided by ED agents in relation to the purported multi-crore ration distribution scheme.

The High Court observed that the assault on the CRPF and ED officials was "pre-planned."

"It is beyond comprehension that without a pre-planned effort, more than a thousand people could have assembled in that area armed with deadly weapons to attack the ED officials and CRPF," the court stated.

"Even though a suo motu FIR had been filed at the same police station, we concur with the ED's submissions that all but one of the charges were bailable offences. The bench said, "The state police have downplayed the entire incident.

Shahjahan is the top official in a Zila Parishad and an elected member of the public. The ruling political party fielded him as a candidate in the elections for the aforementioned position, the bench said.

"Thus, it has become imperative and absolutely necessary for doing complete justice and enforcing the fundamental rights of the public in general and the public of the locality that the cases be transferred to the CBI for investigation and to proceed further," it continued.

In the interim, the West Bengal administration intends to petition the Supreme Court to contest the directive from the High Court to hand over the investigation to the CBI.

After fleeing for 55 days, Sheikh Shahjahan was apprehended by the state police on February 29.

The Trinamool Congress suspended Sheikh Shahjahan for six years after his imprisonment.

Many women in Sandeshkhali have accused Shahjahan and his goons of rape and land grabbing.