By News18
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed an FIR against ex-Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan in connection with a 2019 post-poll violence case in Sandeshkhali. The FIR also includes the names of 24 others along with Sheikh.
The case pertains to the killing of three BJP workers鈥擯radeep Mondal, Devdas Mondal, and Sukanta Mondal鈥攄uring post-election violence in 2019.
Pradeep Mondal, Devdas Mondal, and Sukanta Mondal were found dead after an alleged attack on their village in Sandeshkhali, allegedly by a mob led by Sheikh.
West Bengal Police was initially investigating the case, but later the family of victims approached the Calcutta High Court seeking a CBI probe.
Justice Joy Sengupta has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case with 鈥渦tmost seriousness鈥. The court said the investigation should be supervised by a joint director.
鈥淚n the present case too, which has even more serious charges, I find that the police failed to take action against the prime accused at different stages, leading to a gross miscarriage of justice. It would, thus, not be in the interest of justice to again give the reins of investigation to them,鈥 Justice Sengupta noted while handing over the probe to the CBI.
Sheikh Shahjahan is currently in judicial custody in connection with other Sandeshkhali-related cases.
The police had arrested Sheikh on January 5, 2024, in a case of alleged attack on Enforcement Directorate officers during a raid at his Sandeshkhali home.