Calcutta HC Orders CBI Probe into Sandeshkhali Row

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into allegations of crimes against women and forcible land grabbing in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali, where protests over these issues have erupted.

A division bench of Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya stated that the investigation would be monitored by the court. The bench directed the CBI to file a comprehensive report on the alleged illegal conversion of agricultural land into water bodies for pisciculture after thoroughly examining revenue records and physically inspecting the land in question.

The court instructed the probe agency to probe the allegations of crimes against women and forcible land grabbing in Sandeshkhali and submit a comprehensive report during the next hearing.

The bench scheduled the next hearing for May 2, also the deadline for the CBI to submit its report.

On January 5, Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials were assaulted by a mob while attempting to search the premises of Shajahan Sheikh, a now-suspended Trinamool Congress leader, in connection with a ration distribution scam case in Sandeshkhali.