The Bengal government has stood firm against the Calcutta High Court’s recent directive, refusing to surrender custody of Sheikh Shahjahan, the erstwhile Trinamool leader implicated in charges of extortion, land grab, and sexual assault in Bengal’s Sandeshkhali. The High Court had instructed the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to hand over Shahjahan to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Despite the court order, the Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has declined to comply with the transfer, sparking tensions between the state and the central investigative agency. Shahjahan, a prominent figure in Bengal politics, faces serious allegations related to his activities in Sandeshkhali.
#WATCH | CBI team left from police headquarters in Kolkata. West Bengal CID did not hand over custody of Sheikh Shahjahan to CBI as the state government went to the Supreme Court regarding this matter. pic.twitter.com/sAJeWoihYK
— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024
The legal battle over jurisdiction and custody between the state and the CBI adds a new layer of complexity to an already contentious case. The refusal to cooperate could potentially escalate the matter, with legal experts closely monitoring the developments.
Shahjahan, who was absconding after a team from the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) came under attack while raiding his Sandeshkhali residence in connection with the alleged ration scam case, was placed in the custody of the state police after his arrest.
As he continued to remain in the wind even after hundreds of women in Sandeshkhali came out against the TMC strongman, accusing him of perpetrating atrocities on them along with his henchmen, the high court sanctioned his arrest by either the state police, ED or CBI.
However, close to two months after reportedly being on the run, Shahjahan was nabbed by the state police and taken into custody. A three-member CBI team, flanked by CRPF escorts, arrived at the CID headquarters, Bhabani Bhaban, on Tuesday.
Dealing a blow to the Mamata Banerjee government earlier, the high court transferred the Sandehskhali case to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
A division bench led by the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court also ordered the state police to immediately hand over the suspended TMC strongman to the CBI.
The division bench also set aside an earlier order for setting up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the attack on the ED team. It also ordered the transfer of two cases registered at Nazhat police station and the Bongaon police station against Shahjahan to the central agency.
The high court also directed the West Bengal Police to hand over Sheikh Shahjahan and all documents related to the ongoing probe against him to the CBI by 4.30 pm on Tuesday.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi filed a plea in the Supreme Court, challenging the high court order to hand the case against the suspended TMC strongman to the CBI.
The apex court asked the senior advocate to mention the plea before the registrar general of the apex court.
This standoff comes against the backdrop of ongoing political turmoil and legal challenges in West Bengal, creating a tense atmosphere between the state government and federal investigative agencies.
