High Court Rebukes W Bengal, Police Hands Over Shahjahan Sheikh to CBI

Sheikh Shahjahan, a suspended leader from the Trinamool party and the main suspect in various cases including extortion, land grabbing, and sexual assault in Sandeshkhali, was handed over to the custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday evening. This action marked the conclusion of a two-day standoff between the Bengal government and the central agency.

The Calcutta High Court had previously ordered the state to transfer Shahjahan and all related case materials to the CBI on Tuesday. Despite a deadline of 4:30 pm, the state government refused to comply, citing an ongoing appeal at the Supreme Court, which had declined an urgent hearing.

Upon the arrival of the CBI team at the Bengal Police headquarters in Kolkata, they were denied access and informed that Shahjahan would remain in police custody pending the Supreme Court’s decision.

This afternoon, the High Court, expressing its displeasure, set a new deadline of 4:15 pm, emphasizing the gravity of the state’s defiance of the Chief Justice’s order. The court stated, “Since the Supreme Court has not issued a stay order, Shahjahan must be handed over to the CBI by 4:15 pm.”

Additionally, the High Court issued a contempt notice and requested the Bengal Police’s Criminal Investigation Department, which held custody of Sheikh Shahjahan, to submit an affidavit within two weeks.

In yesterday’s hearing, the High Court criticized the police for being “completely biased” and called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations against Shahjahan. It remarked, “There could hardly be a more compelling case that warrants transfer and investigation by the CBI.”

Sheikh Shahjahan had been evading authorities since January 5, when a group of his supporters attacked an Enforcement Directorate team. He was apprehended nearly two months later, following a standoff with the High Court, and subsequently suspended from the Trinamool party for six years.

The High Court also addressed separate appeals from the Enforcement Directorate and the state government regarding the involvement of CBI officials and police in the case. While the Enforcement Directorate sought sole jurisdiction over the case, the police opposed any involvement of the CBI.

In a related development, the Enforcement Directorate announced the provisional attachment of assets valued at Rs 12.78 crore in connection with the Sheikh Shahjahan case.

The controversy surrounding Shahjahan and the Sandeshkhali incidents has escalated into a significant issue in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP has accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government of protecting its former leader.