In a significant development, the West Bengal Police handed over suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday. This action came after the Calcutta High Court instructed the police to transfer Shahjahan to the central agency by 4:15 pm.
The high court’s directive to hand over Shahjahan to the CBI came after a previous order issued on Tuesday, where the Crime Investigation Department (CID) was tasked with the transfer. However, the CID had initially refused to comply, citing the Mamata Banerjee government’s appeal against the high court’s decision in the Supreme Court.
Shahjahan’s arrest last week followed a nearly two-month evasion after his supporters attacked officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducting a search at his premises in Sandeshkhali. The ED officials were investigating a ration scam on January 5 when the attack occurred.
Popularly known as ‘Bhai’ among his supporters, Shahjahan had been a prominent figure in the TMC since joining in 2013, gaining significant influence within the party. Some sources even suggested that his power rivaled that of several MLAs and ministers.
The influence wielded by Shahjahan was such that villagers often sought his intervention even in matters concerning complaints against TMC members, highlighting his significant role in local dynamics, as per police sources.
The case against Shahjahan gained traction after several women staged protests accusing him and his supporters of sexual assault on February 18 in Sandeshkhali. Amid mounting pressure, the Calcutta High Court questioned the delay in Shahjahan’s arrest. Initially, the TMC claimed that there was a stay on his arrest, which the high court bench later clarified to be untrue, emphasizing the need for his immediate arrest.
The Sandeshkhali case has sparked a political feud between the TMC and the BJP, especially in the backdrop of the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been at the forefront of the BJP’s attack against Mamata Banerjee, accusing the TMC of shielding the accused.
Addressing a rally in Barasat, Prime Minister Modi condemned the TMC’s actions, stating that the party had committed a grave injustice by ignoring the suffering of the victims in Sandeshkhali. He criticized the TMC government for allegedly protecting the perpetrators instead of delivering justice to the victims and their families.
The handover of Sheikh Shahjahan to the CBI marks a significant turn in the Sandeshkhali case, with legal proceedings likely to intensify as investigations progress. The political ramifications of this case continue to reverberate, setting the stage for a contentious battle between the TMC and the BJP in West Bengal.
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