CBI takes custody of Sheikh Shahjahan from Bengal CID after Calcutta HC order

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

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Kolkata, March 6: The CBI took custody of suspended Trinamool politician Sheikh Shahjahan on Wednesday evening from West Bengal CID, ending a two-day standoff between the Bengal government and the agency.

Following today’s High Court order, a CBI team arrived at the Bengal Police CID headquarters on Wednesday to assume custody of Sheikh Shahjahan. Shahjahan was brought to SSKM Hospital for a medical evaluation before CBI took over his custody.

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday issued a contempt notice to the West Bengal Crime Investigation Department, ordering the CID to turn over Shahjahan Sheikh’s custody to the CBI by today.

Shahjahan Sheikh is a former Trinamool strongman who is accused of an attack on ED officers on January 5 as well as extortion, land grab, and sexual assault in Sandeshkhali.

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The court ordered that the accused Shahjahan Sheikh’s custody be turned over to the CBI on Wednesday by 4:30 p.m.

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The Calcutta High Court further noted that state police had engaged in a game of hide-and-seek in the situation.

“The accused is a highly political influencer. The investigation should be handed over to CBI and the custody of the accused by 4:15 pm today,” the Calcutta HC stated.

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Despite a Tuesday order from the Calcutta High Court to the police’s criminal investigation department, or CID, the Bengal government had earlier refused to give Shahjahan’s custody to the CBI.

Concurrently, the West Bengal government requested an expedited hearing for its appeal in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, contesting an order from the Calcutta High Court that mandated the to CBI investigate the Sandeshkhali case concerning an assault on Enforcement Directorate officials in Sandeshkhali on January 5 of this year.

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