New Delhi. The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the CBI probe into the allegations of sexual assault and forcible land grabbing by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh.
A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan dismissed the plea by West Bengal government against the probe, and clarified that the observations in the order would not affect the trial and future remedies.
The top court had earlier questioned why the State was challenging the probe into a private party.
“Why should State file SLP against CBI looking into allegations against a private person? Anyways we will adjourn; it will be more conducive to hear this then (after elections),” it had remarked.
The Court, however, highlighted the State’s inaction on the FIRs from Sandeshkhali.
“But all from Sandeshkhali?! You don’t act or do anything for months,” it said.
The Calcutta High Court had on April 10 transferred the probe to the central agency in a suo-motu case.
Its order came while hearing the matter concerning unrest in Sandeshkhalli following the allegations. Sheikh was arrested by the West Bengal Police after being on the run for around 55 days.
The High Court in its ruling had directed the CBI to ensure confidentiality of the complainants and ordered the agency to create a dedicated portal/email ID to lodge complaints.
The District Magistrate of North 24 Parganas was ordered to give adequate publicity regarding the same.
Sheikh had earlier created controversy after allegations surfaced that he was behind the mob attack on ED officers in January this year, while they were en-route to raid his residence as part of a ration scam probe.
The Calcutta High Court on March 5 transferred the probe into the attack on the ED officers to the CBI, which the apex court upheld.
