Kolkata: A division bench of the Calcutta High Court led by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam on Tuesday ordered to transfer the ongoing probe into the Sandeshkhali incidents to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
In West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali, tension has been simmering ever since local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan went absconding after orchestrating an attack on a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials who had arrived to raid his house.
What started as allegations of violence and undue pressure by Shahjahan and his aides, later snowballed into sexual harassment complaints by several women.
On February 29, Sheikh Shahjahan, who had been evading authorities for 55 days, was apprehended by the West Bengal Police early on Thursday.
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Shahjahan, along with his associates, is a prime suspect in cases involving land encroachment and sexual harassment, stemming from violent protests in Sandeshkhali island in North 24 Parganas district. His evasion began on January 5 after his supporters attacked a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials near his residence.
Reacting to the development, TMC’s National General Secretary Saket Gokhale had emphasized on a social media platform, “As our Natl Gen Sec @abhishekaitc had rightly pointed out — it was a Calcutta HC stay order that had restrained the police. We had also committed that Sheikh Shahjahan would be arrested WITHIN DAYS if the Hon’ble HC freed the hands of the police. On 26th Feb, the HC clarified that WB Police can arrest Sheikh Shahjahan. And today, in less than 72 hours, he has been arrested by West Bengal Police.”
In fact, veteran TMC leader Tapas Roy, who quit as an MLA, cited corruption allegations and the handling of the Sandeshkhali issue as reasons for his resignation. Roy accused the party of thriving under double standards, stating his loyalty was never reciprocated.
Hours after Shahjahan was arrested, senior party leader Derek O’ Brien has said the leadership has decided to suspend Shahjahan for six years.
Speaking to the media, Brien said, “We walk the talk. Even in the past we have set examples and we are doing so today as well.”
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