The Supreme Court dismissed West Bengal government’s plea against the Calcutta High Court’s decision to transfer the probe on cases related to Sandeshkhali to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The apex court refused to meddle into the orders given by the Calcutta High Court.
Even the custody of TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh — prime accused in the Sandeshkhali case — is to stay with the CBI.
The high court’s decision was based on concerns over the state police’s handling of the matter and the alleged political influence of the accused, Sheikh. In its order, the high court division bench noted that the state police is being biased and every attempt was being made to delay the investigation.
Sheikh, who is a Trinamool Congress leader has been accused of extortion, land grabbing and sexual assault in Bengal’s Sandeshkhali.
Before the Bengal government’s action, the Calcutta High Court had directed that the CBI be handed over the case of attack on ED officials at Sandeshkhali and the custody of suspended TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, while slamming the Mamata Banerjee government for “protecting” the accused.
Within a few hours of the high court order, the TMC government moved the Supreme Court, challenging the order. The Supreme Court has, however, refused an urgent hearing of the matter and asked the state to mention the case before the Registrar General.
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