The West Bengal government has taken its grievances to the Supreme Court after the Calcutta High Court directed the CBI to investigate serious allegations of extortion, land grabbing, and sexual assault involving suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates in Sandeshkhali.
This move by the state government follows closely on the heels of a CBI raid that reportedly uncovered foreign-made weapons and ammunition, prompting deployment of National Security Guard commandos to secure the location.
The Sandeshkhali controversy erupted when a group of supporters of Sheikh Shahjahan attacked an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team enroute to conduct searches in an unrelated case.
The assault on ED officials triggered widespread condemnation and a political storm, especially with the impending general election at the time. Criticism was levelled at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government, accusing it of delaying the arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan until a direct order from the High Court forced action.
Sheikh Shahjahan had been under ED investigation for alleged money laundering linked to ration and land scams that have stirred political turbulence in Bengal. His eventual arrest on February 29, 2004, followed heightened scrutiny amid mounting public pressure and legal proceedings.
The Sandeshkhali issue has become a focal point in the election landscape, with the BJP fielding Rekha Patra, a woman who accused Shahjahan of sexual assault, as a candidate from the Basirhat constituency.
In response, the Trinamool has highlighted allegations against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh, drawing attention to sexual assault accusations lodged against him by women wrestlers.
The Calcutta High Court’s stern admonishment to the Bengal government underscored the gravity of the allegations, emphasizing that accountability cannot be evaded if the accusations are substantiated.
The unfolding legal battle and political fallout around Sandeshkhali have injected further intensity into the electoral fray in West Bengal, marking a critical juncture ahead of the ongoing elections.
