Sandeshkhali case: WB govt ignores Calcutta HC order, refuses to hand over Sheikh Shahjahan to CBI

The West Bengal government has refused to hand over the main accused of Sandeshkhali, Sheikh Shahjahan to the custody of CBI. A team from the premier central probe agency arrived at the CID headquarters in Kolkata on Tuesday to take jailed suspended ruling party strongman Sheikh Shahjahan into its custody. However, the Trinamool Congress had moved the Supreme Court to overturn the Calcutta High Court's order to transfer the investigation into the attack on an ED team in Sandeshkhali to the CBI.

While refusing to handover him to CBI, the state government cited that they had filed a plea in the Supreme Court after High Court’s order, which is still awaited. Following this, the CBI team had to return empty-handed.

After being arrested, Shahjahan was given over to the state police, who were searching for him. He had absconded after an ED team had been attacked during a raid on his Sandeshkhali home related to the suspected ration scam and sexual assault case.
However, close to over two months of run, Shahjahan was arrested by the state police and taken into the custody on February 29. 

Key points: What all happened

• The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday asked the state government to handover Sheikh Shahjahan to CBI.
• During the hearing, the court underlines that the state government is biased towards Shahjahan and trying to save him. 
• Soon after high court’s order, the CBI filed an FIR in the case and asked the central agency to comply with the order by 4.30 PM on Tuesday. 
• However, the West Bengal government approached the Supreme Court and cited that response on the plea is still awaited. 
• Soon after this on Tuesday, the ABVP workers hold protest outside Delhi's Banga Bhavan against the Sandeshkhali incident.