The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) swiftly initiated an investigation into the assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers by a mob in Sandeskhali on January 5, following a directive from the Calcutta High Court. The court had ordered the state police to transfer the case to the central agency. The CBI promptly responded to the High Court’s order and registered an FIR on Tuesday.
In compliance with the court’s instructions, a CBI team accompanied by paramilitary forces arrived at the CID office in Kolkata to take custody of Shajahan Sheikh, a suspended TMC leader arrested by the state police on February 29 in connection with the attack. However, Sheikh was not handed over to the CBI as the West Bengal police cited the state government’s move to challenge the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court.
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The High Court criticized the West Bengal Police earlier in the day, denouncing their conduct as “totally biased” and alleging deliberate attempts to delay the investigation to shield the accused individuals. The assault occurred when a team of ED officials was attacked by a mob of nearly 1,000 people during a raid on Sheikh’s residence. Sheikh is believed to have close ties to the former state food minister, Jyoti Priya Mallick, who was arrested in connection with a multi-crore ration distribution scam in West Bengal.
The High Court, led by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam, deemed the case as highly suitable for CBI investigation, thereby granting the Enforcement Directorate’s request. Shortly after the High Court’s decision, the West Bengal government approached the Supreme Court to challenge the order. However, the Supreme Court bench declined to expedite the hearing and instructed the government’s counsel to raise the matter before the Registrar General for further consideration.
