X: @the_news_21
Sheikh Shahjahan, the accused in the Sandeshkhali case, was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the West Bengal Police on Wednesday. The transfer occurred after the Calcutta High Court directed the police to hand over the suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader to the central agency by 4:15 pm.
The high court had initially instructed the Crime Investigation Department (CID) to transfer Shahjahan on Tuesday. However, the CID had declined to comply, citing a challenge from the Mamata Banerjee government against the high court order in the Supreme Court.
Shahjahan’s arrest occurred last week after he had evaded arrest for almost two months. His supporters had attacked an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team in Sandeshkhali during a search of his premises on January 5 in connection with a ration scam probe.
Popularly known as ‘Bhai’ among his supporters, Shahjahan joined the TMC in 2013, just two years after the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC ousted the Left Front from power in Bengal. Regarded by many as more influential than several MLAs and ministers, his arrest has drawn significant attention.
