Did the Division Bench of Calcutta HC Uphold the Order for a CBI Probe into Sheikh Shahjahan's Involvement in a 2019 Murder Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Calcutta High Court upheld CBI probe into a murder case.
- Sheikh Shahjahan is implicated in multiple serious charges.
- The ruling stresses judicial independence and accountability.
- The case highlights ongoing political tensions in West Bengal.
- Public trust in judicial processes is crucial for democracy.
Kolkata, Aug 3 (NationPress) A division bench of the Calcutta High Court confirmed the previous ruling by a single-judge bench regarding the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the murder of three BJP workers in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, which occurred in 2019.
Sheikh Shahjahan, a suspended leader from the Trinamool Congress, is one of the main suspects in this case.
He has also been implicated in a separate incident involving an attack on personnel from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) outside his home in January 2024.
On June 30, Justice Jay Sengupta from the Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI investigation. Shahjahan subsequently appealed against this decision to a division bench. He faces additional allegations, such as participating in a multi-crore ration distribution scam, sexual harassment, and illegal land grabbing at Sandeshkhali. Currently, he is in judicial custody.
During a hearing on Monday, the division bench, comprising Justice Debangshu Basak and Justice Prasenjit Biswas, dismissed Shahjahan's appeal and upheld the ruling from the single-judge bench.
The bench noted, referencing a recent statement from the Supreme Court, that Shahjahan's petition lacked admissibility.
Shahjahan's name was included in the initial charge sheet during the investigation by the North 24 Parganas district police. However, it was later removed after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took over the case.
A petition was filed at the Calcutta High Court, alleging that the state police were protecting Shahjahan and requesting a CBI investigation. Ultimately, this led to the order for a CBI inquiry issued by Justice Sengupta on Monday.