Bengal Police hands over Sandeshkhali accused Shahjahan Sheikh to CBI after Calcutta HC order

financialexpress.com:

The CBI got the custody of Sheikh Shahjahan on Wednesday. The Trinamool Congress leader, who is the prime accused in the Sandeshkhali ED official attack case, was handed over by state CID hours after a new order by the Calcutta High Court earlier in the day. After the medical examination, Shahjahan was handed over to CBI at the Bhabani Bhaban Police Headquarters. Earlier in the day, the Calcutta High Court stated that the investigation into the attack on ED officials should be transferred to the CBI, and the custody of the accused Sheikh Shahjahan should be arranged promptly.

The handover to the CBI comes on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met some women from Sandeshkhali during an event in Barasat on Wednesday. Sandeshkhali has been in news over charges of sexual abuse against ruling Trinamool leaders. While meeting the women, the Prime Minister assured them of justice. Describing the women as ‘Maa Durga’, PM Modi said that they have been courageously protesting against the alleged sexual abuse.

BJP sources said the women turned emotional while narrating their ordeal to the PM who heard them patiently “like a father figure”. He understood their pain, party sources said.

Sandeshkhali, an island situated in the North 24 Parganas district, has recently been embroiled in controversy due to accusations of sexual violence against women and land appropriation allegedly committed by Shajahan Sheikh, a suspended TMC leader, and his accomplices.

(With inputs from PTI)