Supreme Court Refuses Stay on CBI Probe into Sandeskali Violence, Expunges Remarks Against State Police

The Calcutta High Court's order ordering the CBI to investigate the Sandeskali violence, in which ED officials were allegedly attacked by Trinamul leader Sheikh Shahjahan, whose followers also allegedly sexually assaulted several local women and occupied their lands, was refused to be stayed by the Supreme Court on Monday.

But while overseeing the CBI investigation, the top court removed the division bench's criticism of the state police apparatus's actions.

Inquiring as to why it took the State so many days to arrest Sheikh, senior lawyers Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Jaideep Gupta representing the Bengal government were also questioned orally by a bench made up of Justices B.R. Gavai and Sandeep Gupta.

Gupta emphasized that the inquiry had been put on hold for a while, but that the state had swiftly detained the accused Trinamul leader after receiving the required information.

S.V. Raju, the additional solicitor general for the ED, gave a brief explanation to the court of the history of the case and how the central agency officials were attacked on January 5 when they attempted to raid the Shahjahan premises.

When it came to the ED officer's assault, they attempted to weaken the case. They submitted a different case. The probe was halted as a result. Raju added, "Then, the Advocate General consented to include Section 307 (attempt to murder).

Raju supported the high court's ruling, arguing that the Bengal police probe had numerous problems and that the court had rightfully ordered a CBI investigation.

Senior attorney Singhvi argued that the ruling against the state should be overturned by the court.

Singhvi would have to argue the case for the statements to be expunged, the bench initially stated. Justice Gavai later consented to it.

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