Sandeshkhali ED Attack Case: West Bengal Police has explained the reason for the delay in handing over Shahjahan Sheikh to CBI. The police have blamed the state government’s appeal to the Supreme Court for the delay.
According to news agency PTI, the CID said that Shahjahan Sheikh was not handed over to the central agency because the state government had moved the Supreme Court against the High Court’s decision.
However, the top court refused to list the plea immediately and asked the state counsel to mention the matter before the Registrar General. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the police gave details of the events leading up to the handover, including the state’s appeal and the apex court’s response.
The state government is following the court’s instructions – police
Meanwhile, the CBI filed a special petition before the High Court, holding the state officials guilty of contempt, police said. The police statement also said that in view of the petition pending before the Supreme Court, the state government is following the instructions while respecting the majesty of the High Court and the orders passed by it.
With how much delay was Shahjahan Sheikh handed over to CBI?
Last week, Shahjahan Sheikh was arrested after the Calcutta High Court made it clear that there were no obstacles to his arrest. Shahjahan Sheikh is accused of sexual exploitation, extortion and land grabbing.
West Bengal CID has handed over the custody of Sheikh, the main accused in the case of attack on ED officers in Sandeshkhali, to CBI. Shahjahan Sheikh was handed over to CBI on Wednesday, 24 hours after the deadline given by the High Court.
The team of CBI officers had reached to pick up Shaikh before 4 pm, but the CID handed him over to the central agency at 6:48 pm, while the Calcutta High Court had set the deadline of 4:15 pm.
State government’s argument did not hold in court
The state government’s argument that the matter was pending in the Supreme Court did not work. At the same time, the High Court said that since the Supreme Court has not ordered the ban, Sheikh must be handed over to the CBI by 4.15 pm.
Shahjahan Sheikh was arrested on 29 February
Shahjahan Sheikh had absconded on January 5 when his supporters allegedly attacked an Enforcement Directorate team that had gone to search his house in connection with the ration scam. He was arrested on February 29 and the local court sent him to 10-day police custody.
The agency has now attached a part of his properties. Trinamool Congress has suspended Shahjahan Sheikh from the party for six years.
Also read- In Sandeshkhali Case, CBI again registered 3 separate FIRs, 1 also against TMC’s Sheikh Shahjahan.
