Agency(West Bengal): In a contentious move, the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has not complied with a Calcutta High Court directive to transfer custody of Shahjahan Sheikh, the alleged mastermind behind the January attack on Enforcement Directorate and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) teams in Sandeshkhali, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This defiance occurred despite the CBI officials’ attempt to take custody of Sheikh, following the court’s order, on March 5, 2024.
The standoff at the CID headquarters in Kolkata underscores a legal and jurisdictional tug-of-war between state and central agencies. With the West Bengal government promptly appealing to the Supreme Court against the High Court’s decision, the case has taken a critical turn. The Supreme Court’s response, advising the state to seek an urgent hearing, indicates the complex legal battle ahead.
This development has sparked significant political reactions, with opposition parties in West Bengal interpreting the state government’s swift move to the Supreme Court as an attempt to shield Sheikh. The situation brings to the forefront the ongoing tensions between state and central authorities in India, especially in politically sensitive cases involving allegations of violence and misconduct.
As the case awaits further proceedings, the focus remains on the Supreme Court’s potential intervention and the broader implications for the rule of law and federal relations in India.