Kolkata: After two days of drama unfolding in Kolkata over who gets custody of former TMC strongman from Sandeshkhali Sheikh Shahjahan, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday managed to overcome the attempts by the West Bengal government in keeping the accused in its ambit.
On Wednesday, the Calcutta High Court reiterated its order for the West Bengal administration to transfer custody of former Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by 4:15 pm.
#WATCH | Sandeshkhali accused Shahjahan Sheikh brought back to Bhabani Bhaban Police Headquarters in Kolkata, West Bengal after his medical examination at SSKM hospital.
Handing over procedure includes a medical examination of the accused. Calcutta High Court today observed… pic.twitter.com/0NU8LhniZm
— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2024
Previously, on Tuesday, a division bench led by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam had directed the police to transfer Shahjahan’s custody to the CBI. However, the state government sought intervention from the Supreme Court, resulting in the police’s refusal to comply, citing the matter as sub-judice.
Also Read: 2 days after quitting TMC, Tapas Roy joins BJP
The West Bengal government refused to transfer the custody of Sheikh Shahjahan, the former Trinamool heavyweight accused of extortion, land encroachment, and sexual assault in Sandeshkhali, to the CBI. This came despite a Calcutta High Court order on Tuesday. The court instructed the police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to hand over Shahjahan and the case materials by 4:30 pm.
Around 7:30 pm, a CBI team left the police headquarters in Kolkata without Shahjahan. The reason cited was the state’s approach to the Supreme Court, which resulted in the refusal to release Shahjahan until the Supreme Court issues its ruling.
Shahjahan was apprehended by the West Bengal Police on February 29 in connection with an assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali on January 5, while they were enroute to search his residence as part of an alleged ration scam investigation.
On Wednesday morning, the West Bengal government’s counsel, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, made an appeal before a Supreme Court bench chaired by Justice Sanjiv Khanna to hear the plea. However, the bench declined the request.
Read all the World News, Business News, Sports News, Entertainment News, Business News and Opinion here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
