2024-03-07 04:43:53
New Delhi/Kolkata: On the orders of the Calcutta High Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team that reached the police headquarters to take the custody of Sheikh Shahjahan had to return empty handed. The High Court had ordered Bengal CID to hand over Shahjahan to CBI by 4:30 pm on Tuesday. However, the state government decided to challenge the High Court order in the Supreme Court. As a result, Shahjahan could not be handed over until the Supreme Court’s decision. On the other hand, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached 14 properties of Shahjahan and his associates.
Will Shahjahan be caught by CBI?
The High Court also directed the state police to transfer all FIRs related to the attack on ED officials to the CBI. The attack took place during a raid on Shahjahan’s residence in Sandeshkhali. Emphasizing its authority and responsibility to protect fundamental rights, the High Court said that it not only has the power and jurisdiction but also has the obligation to protect the fundamental rights. After the order of the High Court, the state government reached the Supreme Court. The appeal petition was presented before Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who directed the state to submit relevant documents to CJI DY Chandrachud.
Sandeshkhali Case: Calcutta High Court orders CBI investigation in Sandeshkhali case, Bengal government reaches SC against the decision
ED’s whip on Shahjahan and associates
Here, ED attached assets worth ₹12.7 crore of Shahjahan and his associates. A total of 14 properties attached include apartments, agricultural land, fish farming land and two bank accounts. The High Court said that Shahjahan is not an ordinary citizen, but an elected representative who holds an important post in the Zilla Parishad. The High Court had also quashed the previous order in which it had directed to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for investigation.
High Court’s comments will trouble Mamata government
In the High Court P. Advocate General Kishore Dutta, representing the Bengal government, opposed the order to transfer the investigation of Shahjahan case. Citing the order of the Supreme Court, he said that a case can be transferred only when there is suspicion of bias on the part of higher officials in the investigation of the state. The High Court Bench said that in view of the circumstances in which Inspector Najat Tane had registered the FIR on the complaint of Shahjahan’s security guard Dildar Box Mulla, suspicion arises for not just one but many reasons. The bench said that the complaint was withdrawn on January 6 and the date of the complaint was written in words, which prima facie seems to suggest that there is something wrong.