Sandeshkhali: Supreme Court upholds CBI probe against Shahjahan Sheikh

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the allegations of sexual assault and forcible land grabbing by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh [State of West Bengal vs High Court at Calcutta through its Registrar General]..A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan dismissed the plea by West Bengal government against the probe, and clarified that the observations in the order would not affect the trial and future remedies..The top court had earlier questioned why the State was challenging the probe into a private party."Why should State file SLP against CBI looking into allegations against a private person? Anyways we will adjourn; it will be more conducive to hear this then (after elections)," it had remarked..During the hearing today, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi for the West Bengal government informed the Court that there was a blanket direction for probe into 43 first information reports (FIRs) The Court, however, highlighted the State's inaction on the FIRs from Sandeshkhali."But all from Sandeshkhali?! You don't act or do anything for months," it said..Though Singhvi made further submissions, the Court refused to interfere and dismissed the plea. It, however, clarified that the observations would have no bearing on the trial..The Calcutta High Court had on April 10 transferred the probe to the central agency in a suo motu case.Its order came while hearing the matter concerning unrest in Sandeshkhalli following the allegations. Sheikh was arrested by the West Bengal Police after being on the run for around 55 days.The High Court in its ruling had directed the CBI to ensure confidentiality of the complainants and ordered the agency to create a dedicated portal/email ID to lodge complaints.The District Magistrate of North 24 Parganas was ordered to give adequate publicity regarding the same.Sheikh had earlier created controversy after allegations surfaced that he was behind the mob attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers in January this year, while they were en route to raid his residence as part of a ration scam probe.The Calcutta High Court on March 5 transferred the probe into the attack on the ED officers to the CBI, which the apex court upheld.