Sandeshkhali Case: Calcutta HC Orders Interim Stay On FIR Against ED Officers, Next Hearing On Jan 22

Basirhat Police filed an FIR against the ED officials, accusing them of molestation, theft, and manhandling.

Security personnel with others stand near a vehicle which was allegedly damaged by the supporters of TMC leader Sheikh Sajahan. ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: In a big relief to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted an interim stay on proceedings in an FIR registered against them following the Sandeshkhali raid on January 5.

The case is scheduled for its next hearing on January 22.

The ED approached the court seeking the quashing of the FIR filed at the Nazat police station in the North 24 Parganas district against its officials. The ED asserted that false allegations were imposed against them.

Basirhat Police filed an FIR against the ED officials, accusing them of molestation, theft, and manhandling. In the FIR, it was mentioned that Rs 1,35,000 was stolen from the premises of TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh when they went to raid his house on January 5.

Calcutta High Court passes a stay order on the FIR that had been registered by Kolkata Police. Court asks the respondent to file an affidavit of the case diary by next Thursday, 18th January and any reply by the ED if needed after that. Next hearing scheduled for 22nd January.…

— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2024

Justice Rajasekhar Mantha ordered an interim stay on proceedings in connection with the FIR till March 31.

The ED has stated that three of its officers were injured and their belongings were snatched in an attack on them at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district on January 5. The attack happened when they went to Shajahan Sheikh's house for a raid in connection with alleged irregularities in the state's ration system.

Earlier in the day, another single bench of Justice Jay Sengupta said that no coercive action can be taken until Monday against the ED officials involved in the raid.

The ED counsel submitted before Justice Sengupta's bench that it has learnt that four cases were lodged in connection with the incident.

He said that of these, one was by the ED on the attack on its officials, and another was against its officers.

BJP Protests Against West Bengal Govt

BJP workers on Thursday staged a massive protest against the West Bengal government over the attack on ED officials in Sandeshkhali.

#WATCH | North 24 Parganas, West Bengal: BJP workers protest against the attack on ED officials in Sandeshkhali. pic.twitter.com/Y7ZAuygafz

— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2024

West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar said that Mamata Banerjee's government is 'absolutely corrupt' and TMC has no moral right to remain in government.

"Law and order is a matter of state. The Centre cannot do much in this. In the future, when the law and order of the state deteriorates further, the centre will intervene... Mamata Banerjee's government is absolutely corrupt. TMC does not have any moral right to remain in government," he said.

#WATCH | North 24 Parganas, WB: BJP workers protest against the attack on ED officials in Sandeshkhali.

West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar says, "... Law and order is a matter of state. The Centre cannot do much in this. In the future, when the law and order of the state… pic.twitter.com/VwDzvvuMDt

— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2024

Meanwhile, TMC leader Sheikh is currently absconding and the ED has issued a look-out circular (LC) against him, alerting all land, air and sea ports to stop his exit from the country.