Sandeshkhali: SC junks state’s plea against High Court order

New Delhi, July 8

The apex court today dismissed the West Bengal Government’s petition challenging a Calcutta High Court order for a CBI probe against TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh over allegations of crimes against women and land grab in Sandeshkhali.

“Thank you. Dismissed,” a Bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan said, dismissing the state government’s petition challenging the HC’s April 10 order.

“Why should the state (government) be interested in protecting someone?” it had asked the West Bengal Government on April 29.

The state government had contended that the HC “erroneously” directed the CBI to probe into complaints by residents of Sandeshkhali and submit a report as the impugned order disregarded the conclusion of investigations into 43 FIRs, all of which had culminated into chargesheets.

Terming the observations made by the high court as “unwarranted”, the state government had said these were likely to shake the confidence of the public and tarnish the reputation of the police force.

Following the HC order, the CBI has registered an FIR against five persons in connection with the case.