HC transfers Sandeshkhali case to CBI, hands Sheikh Shahjahan's custody to central agency
PTC News Desk: The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered the transfer of Sandehskhali case, in which officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) were allegedly attacked by locals, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The Chief Justice Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court has also ordered that suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongman Sheikh Shahjahan be handed over to the CBI.
The Division Bench also overturned an earlier order that established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the attack on ED officials. It has also been ordered to turn over to the CBI two cases registered at the Nazat Police Station and one at the Bongaon Police Station against Shahjahan.
The High Court ordered the West Bengal Police to hand over Sheikh Shahjahan and all related investigation documents to the CBI by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
A bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam stated, "The accused who has been apprehended on 29th February 2024 after being on the run for more than 50 days is not an ordinary citizen. He is an elected representative of the public, holding the highest office in a Zilla Parishad, he was fielded as the candidate at the elections held for the said post by the political party which is ruling dispensation."
"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 Central Bureau of Investigation for investigation and to proceed further."
"The custody of the accused Sk. Shahjahan shall also forthwith be handed over to CBI. This direction shall be implemented by 4:30 P.M. today (05.03.2024). No costs. Connected applications stand disposed of," the Court added.
West Bengal Police arrested Shahjahan on Thursday morning in connection with an alleged assault on ED officers during a raid in January of this year.
Following his arrest, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed that Shahjahan was placed under the protection of the state police in order to avoid arrest by the ED and the CBI.
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