The Calcutta High Court issued a contempt notice to the West Bengal Crime Investigation Department (CID) and directed them to hand over the custody of Shahjahan Sheikh, the former Trinamool leader accused of extortion, land grab, and sexual assault in Sandeshkhali, to the Crime Investigation Bureau (CBI) by Wednesday. The court mandated that the accused’s custody be transferred to the CBI by 4:30 pm on the same day, emphasizing the state police’s evasion in the matter.
The court labeled Shahjahan Sheikh as a highly influential political figure and stressed the need for a CBI investigation. It stated, “The investigation should be handed over to CBI, and the custody of the accused by 4:15 pm today.” Despite a previous order from the Calcutta High Court, the Bengal government had refused to transfer Shahjahan’s custody to the CBI through the CID.
Simultaneously, the West Bengal government sought an urgent hearing in the Supreme Court challenging the Calcutta High Court’s order for a CBI probe into the Sandeshkhali incident involving an attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with women victims of sexual assault in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, on Wednesday. Describing them as his “parivar” (family), Modi accused the TMC government of shielding the accused, expressing concern about the treatment of women under TMC rule. He criticized the government for not addressing women’s issues and condemned the acts committed by TMC leaders against women from marginalized groups. Modi highlighted the victims’ emotional interaction with him and their appreciation for his understanding of their pain.
Shahjahan Sheikh was arrested on February 29 by West Bengal police, and the Basirhat Court remanded him to 10-day police custody after weeks of inaction.