The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed that TMC local leader of Sandeshkhali, Shajahan Sheikh, the main accused in sexual atrocities on women and land grabbing, can be arrested by the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or the West Bengal Police. On a prayer by the state’s advocate general, the court clarified its order of February 26 in which it had ordered Sheikh Shajahan’s arrest by the police authority.
Clarification Given By Calcutta High Court To Its Previous Order Of February 7
A division bench presided by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam clarified that the court in its February 7 order had only stayed the constitution of a joint special investigation team (SIT) of the CBI and West Bengal Police by a single bench to probe an attack on ED officials.
The division bench directed that it will be “well open to the CBI or the ED also to arrest” the absconding Sheikh, noting that he has been on the run for a substantial period.
Sheikh Shajahan Is Yet To Be Arrested
Enforcement Directorate officials were attacked by a nearly 1,000-member strong mob at Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on January 5 when they went to investigate Sheikh’s alleged involvement in the ration distribution scam in the state. The mob is believed to have consisted of the local leader’s own men. They attacked the officials on duty and vandalized their vehicles, forcing them to retreat. Shajahan is on the run despite authorities looking to arrest him.
Bengali