Calcutta HC transfers Sandeshkhali case to CBI; Bengal government moves SC

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered transfer of investigation into an attack on ED officials at Sandeshkhali on January 5 from the West Bengal government to CBI. It directed that documents and custody of suspended Trinamool leader Shahjahan Sheikh should be immediately handed over to CBI.

Sheikh is at present in CID's custody after he was arrested by the West Bengal Police on February 29. HC, in its order, observed that Sheikh is «an elected representative of the public, holding the highest office in a Zilla Parishad, he was fielded as the candidate at the elections held for the said post by the political party which is ruling dispensation. Thus, it has become imperative and absolutely necessary for doing complete justice and enforcing the fundamental rights of the public...»

«It is beyond one's comprehension that without a pre-planned effort more than thousand people or three thousand people...could have assembled in that area armed with deadly weapons to attack ED officials and CRPF… We agree with the submissions made on behalf of the appellant ED that except for one offence all were bailable offences and the state police have underplayed the entire situation,» it said.

Following the order, the West Bengal government moved the Supreme Court, seeking immediate hearing.