In a significant decision, the Supreme Court on Monday (March 11) dismissed West Bengal government’s plea against the Calcutta High Court’s decision to transfer the probe into the attack against ED officials at Sandeshkhali to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). However, the apex court did agree to expunge the critical observations made by the high court regarding the conduct of the state government and police.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta was hearing a special leave petition filed by the State of West Bengal against the high court’s ruling. The plea was moved urgently after the Calcutta High Court directed the transfer of the case and the custody of prime accused Shahjahan Sheikh to the central agency. The high court’s decision was based on concerns over the state police’s handling of the matter and the alleged political influence of the accused, Shahjahan Sheikh. In its order, the
During the hearing today, Senior Advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Jaideep Gupta represented the State of West Bengal. The senior counsel questioned the decision to set aside the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) with state police members and instead transfer the case to the CBI. When the court asked why prime accused Shahjahan Sheikh had not been arrested for many days, Gupta cited a stay on the investigation. He also challenged the high court’s remarks alleging the state polic
“The investigation was stayed at a later point in time,” Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the Central Bureau of Investigation, countered. Highlighting the events leading to the assault on ED officials, he alleged that the state police had helped the accused evade arrest. Raju also argued that there were other deficiencies in the state police’s handling of the case, including delays in adding a charge under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code. “They tried to water down the ca