Bengal Faces Supreme Court Setback, CBI Probe into Sheikh Shahjahan Case Continues

The Mamata Banerjee government faced a setback today as the Supreme Court dismissed its challenge against the Calcutta High Court’s decision to transfer the investigation into the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali to the CBI. The attack occurred on January 5 when a team of ED officials went to question local leader Sheikh Shahjahan.

Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta of the Supreme Court also questioned the Trinamool Congress government regarding the delay in arresting Shahjahan, who is now in CBI custody. Besides the attack on the ED team, Shahjahan and his associates face allegations including land grab, extortion, and sexual harassment.

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Last week, the high court ordered the Bengal police to hand over Shahjahan’s custody to the CBI and criticized the state police’s handling of the case. However, the Supreme Court expunged the high court’s remarks on Bengal police today.

In response to queries about the delay in Shahjahan’s arrest, the Bengal police cited a stay order on the investigation. Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta, representing the state government, clarified that once the stay was lifted, Shahjahan was arrested promptly.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the Centre, highlighted the seriousness of the incident involving the assault on ED officials. He criticized the state police for not making sufficient efforts to apprehend Shahjahan.

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Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, also representing the Bengal government, raised concerns about the high court’s remarks on the state police. The court assured that these observations would be expunged.

The case has stirred political controversy in West Bengal, with Shahjahan’s arrest after over 50 days on the run sparking tensions between central agencies and the state police. Despite challenges from the state government, the high court’s directive to hand over Shahjahan to the CBI was upheld by the Supreme Court.