Sandeshkhali Violence: Supreme Court Dismisses West Bengal Government’s Plea Against CBI Probe

The Supreme Court has made a significant decision by dismissing the West Bengal government’s plea against the direction for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Sandeshkhali violence. The case involves allegations of land-grabbing and sexual assault by Shajahan Sheikh, a suspended member of the Trinamool Congress, and his followers.

The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, was dealing with a petition filed by the West Bengal government against the Calcutta High Court’s direction to investigate the allegations. The High Court had taken suo moto cognizance of newspaper reports on alleged sexual harassment of women in Sandeshkhali and tribal lands that had been forcibly taken over.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta, appearing for West Bengal, argued that the state government had taken full action in the matter. However, Justice Gavai questioned why the state should be interested in protecting someone, implying that the government was not doing enough to address the issue. The hearing was adjourned at the request of Senior Advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for West Bengal, subject to a condition that the pendency of the petition would not be used as a ground for any other purpose.

When the matter came up again, Singhvi argued that the impugned directions sought to cover not only the incidents of sexual assault and land grabbing but also an alleged ration scam for which 43 FIRs were registered. He submitted that the directions were not omnibus and only pertained to Sandeshkhali. However, the bench was not convinced and dismissed the plea.

Justice Gavai lamented that the state “did not do anything for months” and questioned why the state should be interested in protecting someone. Singhvi clarified that there were en masse observations made in the impugned order, even though much work had been done, especially insofar as the alleged ration scam was concerned. The bench, however, was not persuaded to allow the plea.

The background of the case is that unrest in Sandeshkhali began after an assault took place on ED officers, allegedly by followers of local ‘strongman’ Shahjahan Sheikh. The situation escalated with widespread reports of sexual assault and land grabbing being attributed to Shahjahan and his followers, who belonged to the ruling dispensation in West Bengal. The Calcutta High Court took suo moto cognizance of the matter and passed orders for a CBI probe, taking judicial notice of the fact that the State had set up a commission for returning the lands of those whose lands were grabbed.

Shahjahan Sheikh, who was elected as a Karmadhaksya of Zilla Parishad, North 24 Parganas, was the prime accused in almost 42 criminal cases arising out of Sandeshkhali. He was arrested by the State Police after a prolonged period of absconding. Notably, the probe into Shahjahan’s men’s attack on ED officials who had gone to Sandeshkhali to raid the residence of the former in connection with a ration scam was transferred to the CBI in March 2024, which was affirmed by the Supreme Court.

The case, titled “The State of West Bengal v. High Court at Calcutta through Registrar General, SLP(C) No. 9462-9465/2024”, has significant implications for the people of Sandeshkhali and the state government. The Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the plea against the CBI probe is a major setback for the West Bengal government, which had been trying to protect its interests in the matter.

Historical Context:

The case of Sandeshkhali violence is a recent development in the state of West Bengal, India. The unrest began after an assault took place on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers, allegedly by followers of local ‘strongman’ Shahjahan Sheikh, a suspended member of the Trinamool Congress, in 2024. The situation escalated with widespread reports of sexual assault and land grabbing being attributed to Shahjahan and his followers, who belonged to the ruling dispensation in West Bengal.

The Calcutta High Court took suo moto cognizance of the matter and passed orders for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, taking judicial notice of the fact that the State had set up a commission for returning the lands of those whose lands were grabbed. The case has significant implications for the people of Sandeshkhali and the state government.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• The Supreme Court has dismissed the West Bengal government’s plea against the direction for a CBI probe into the Sandeshkhali violence. • The case involves allegations of land-grabbing and sexual assault by Shajahan Sheikh, a suspended member of the Trinamool Congress, and his followers. • The Calcutta High Court had taken suo moto cognizance of newspaper reports on alleged sexual harassment of women in Sandeshkhali and tribal lands that had been forcibly taken over. • The West Bengal government had argued that it had taken full action in the matter, but the Supreme Court bench was not convinced. • The bench questioned why the state should be interested in protecting someone, implying that the government was not doing enough to address the issue. • The CBI probe was ordered to investigate the allegations of sexual assault and land grabbing, as well as an alleged ration scam for which 43 FIRs were registered. • The Supreme Court’s decision is a major setback for the West Bengal government, which had been trying to protect its interests in the matter. • The case has significant implications for the people of Sandeshkhali and the state government. • Shahjahan Sheikh, the prime accused in almost 42 criminal cases arising out of Sandeshkhali, was arrested by the State Police after a prolonged period of absconding. • The probe into Shahjahan’s men’s attack on ED officials who had gone to Sandeshkhali to raid the residence of the former in connection with a ration scam was transferred to the CBI in March 2024, which was affirmed by the Supreme Court.