The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday transfered investigation against arrested Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh in the alleged attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). On Monday, the court had reserved verdict after hearing the arguements in the case.
The high court bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya set aside an earlier order of the court that asked for SIT to be constituted. The court has asked the West Bengal police to handover all papers concerning the matter to the CBI, as well as the custody of prime accused Shahjahan Sheikh, the Live Law reported.
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The CBI had moved the high court saying that if Sheikh remained in West Bengal Police's custody, it would frustrate the purpose of the investigation.
The CBI has alleged that Shahjahan Sheikh was the mastermind behind the attack on ED officers in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali.
The CBI had submitted in the court that Shahjahan's custody needs to be handed over to the CBI, as after 15 days of him remaining in state police custody, no other agency would be able to seek his custody.
Many women in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district had accused Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh and his aides of "land-grab and sexually assaulting" them under coercion.
Shajahan went absconding after a mob, allegedly affiliated to him, attacked Enforcement Directorate officials who had gone to search his premises in connection with a ration scam on January 5.
He was arrested last week by the West Bengal Police in connection with Sandeshkhali violence.
The West Bengal government has now moved the Supreme Court against the Calcutta High Court order.