On 7th February 2024, the Calcutta High Court intervened in the case related to the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal. During the incident on January 5, the officials were on their way to the residence of TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh. The court issued a stay order on the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that had been ordered by a single-judge bench.
The single-judge bench, led by Justice Jay Sengupta, had directed the creation of an SIT comprising officials from both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the state police. This decision aimed to facilitate a more convenient investigation within local areas involving the state police.
However, a division bench, led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam, overruled this order and issued a stay until March 6. The Enforcement Directorate had sought a CBI investigation, expressing concerns about potential interference if state police were involved. They pointed to the alleged connections of “heavyweight ministers and influential leaders” to a ration distribution scam linked to the case.
During the hearing, the ED reiterated that despite informing the state police about the attack and seeking cooperation, they did not receive adequate support during their journey to Shahjahan Sheikh’s house. The stay order introduces a temporary halt to the investigative process, adding complexity to the case as it unfolds.
The concerns raised by the ED and the subsequent stay order highlight the challenges in ensuring an impartial and effective investigation into the attack on ED officials. Further developments are anticipated in the coming weeks as the legal proceedings continue.
