The Supreme Court has ruled that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will continue investigating sexual assault and land-grabbing charges against Sandeshkhali strongman Shahjahan Sheikh and his aides. The West Bengal government's challenge to this probe was dismissed on Monday by a bench of justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, who questioned why the state was interested in protecting an individual.

Shahjahan Sheikh was arrested by the CBI in February, following a dramatic confrontation with Bengal police. Subsequently, the Trinamool Congress suspended him from the party for six years. In April, the Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI investigation into 42 cases against Shahjahan, including allegations of a ration scam, stating the complexity of the matter required an impartial probe.

The West Bengal government appealed this decision in the Supreme Court, which upheld the high court's order. During the proceedings, the state's lawyer argued that the high court's directive to the CBI should have been limited to two FIRs related to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), rather than covering all alleged offenses. However, Justice Gavai criticized the state's inaction over months and reiterated the question of why the state was defending an individual.

Senior lawyer Abhishek Singhvi, representing West Bengal, contested various remarks in the high court's order and claimed significant progress had been made regarding the ration scam. Nonetheless, the Supreme Court was not convinced and maintained the high court's ruling. The court did specify that its remarks against the West Bengal government and police should not influence the CBI's investigation.

The Sandeshkhali case involves multiple accusations of sexual assault, land grabbing, and a ration scam orchestrated by Shahjahan and his associates. The CBI is also investigating an attack by Shahjahan's supporters on an ED team, which resulted in several injuries. Amidst the allegations, Shahjahan went missing, and the Trinamool Congress faced criticism for allegedly shielding him. The case has become a significant political issue ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, with the BJP fielding a local woman in the Basirhat constituency, although she was unsuccessful.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will continue investigating sexual assault and land-grabbing charges against Sandeshkhali strongman Shahjahan Sheikh and his aides. The West Bengal government's challenge to this probe was dismissed on Monday by a bench of justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, who questioned why the state was interested in protecting an individual.

Shahjahan Sheikh was arrested by the CBI in February, following a dramatic confrontation with Bengal police. Subsequently, the Trinamool Congress suspended him from the party for six years. In April, the Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI investigation into 42 cases against Shahjahan, including allegations of a ration scam, stating the complexity of the matter required an impartial probe.

The West Bengal government appealed this decision in the Supreme Court, which upheld the high court's order. During the proceedings, the state's lawyer argued that the high court's directive to the CBI should have been limited to two FIRs related to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), rather than covering all alleged offenses. However, Justice Gavai criticized the state's inaction over months and reiterated the question of why the state was defending an individual.

Senior lawyer Abhishek Singhvi, representing West Bengal, contested various remarks in the high court's order and claimed significant progress had been made regarding the ration scam. Nonetheless, the Supreme Court was not convinced and maintained the high court's ruling. The court did specify that its remarks against the West Bengal government and police should not influence the CBI's investigation.

The Sandeshkhali case involves multiple accusations of sexual assault, land grabbing, and a ration scam orchestrated by Shahjahan and his associates. The CBI is also investigating an attack by Shahjahan's supporters on an ED team, which resulted in several injuries. Amidst the allegations, Shahjahan went missing, and the Trinamool Congress faced criticism for allegedly shielding him. The case has become a significant political issue ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, with the BJP fielding a local woman in the Basirhat constituency, although she was unsuccessful.