In a significant development, the Calcutta High Court on Monday has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the probe into the murder of two Bharatiya Janata Party workers in Sandeshkhali. Justice Joy Sengupta ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the leadership of a Joint Director to carry out the investigation.
The political violence in Bhangipara village of Sandeshkhali, located in Kolkata’s adjoining North 24 Parganas district, has been simmering since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Tensions flared again on June 8, 2019, when three people — including two BJP workers and one Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker — were shot dead during a violent clash between the rival political groups.
The deceased BJP workers were identified as Pradeep Mandal and Sukanta Mandal, while the Trinamool Congress worker, Qayum Ali Mollah, also succumbed to a bullet wound to the head. The killings sent shockwaves through the political landscape of West Bengal and reignited accusations of targeted political violence.
Adding to the tension, Devdas Mandal, a relative of one of the slain BJP workers, was reported missing following the incident. The family of the deceased had filed a written complaint at Najat Police Station, naming Sheikh Shahjahan, known be a TMC strongman in the area, as the main accused. However, when the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which took over the case, filed its chargesheet, Shahjahan’s name was noticeably not mentioned in the list of accused.
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This omission drew widespread criticism and allegations of political bias, with the BJP and local residents accusing Shahjahan — widely known as the 'King' of Sandeshkhali and a powerful figure within the TMC — of masterminding the violence. Demands for an impartial probe grew louder amid mounting public and political pressure.
Notably, Shahjahan is already in jail custody, having been arrested on January 5 last year after his associates allegedly attacked Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers during a raid at his Sandeshkhali residence. His bail plea is currently being heard in the Calcutta High Court.
In this context, the High Court’s decision to hand over the investigation to the CBI is being viewed as a significant step toward ensuring an independent inquiry. The CBI’s SIT is expected to re-examine all angles of the case, including Shahjahan’s alleged role in orchestrating the murders.
Sandeshkhali had hit headlines last year after hundreds of local women staged demonstrations for over a month against Shahjahan, which became a national outcry and BJP’s poll plank in Bengal ahead of the general elections in 2024.
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