In a significant development, the Calcutta High Court has ordered the transfer of the investigation into the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attack case involving jailed and suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The decision was made on Tuesday, with the court also directing that Sheikh’s custody be handed over to the CBI.

The High Court’s decision comes in the wake of Sheikh’s arrest and suspension from the Trinamool Congress last week. It further directed the Bengal Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to transfer the jailed politician to the CBI by 4:30 pm on Tuesday, along with sharing all relevant documents pertaining to the case.

During the hearing on Monday, lawyers representing central agencies alleged collusion between the state police and the accused, emphasizing the need for CBI intervention. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju contended that the state police’s actions were aimed at obstructing the investigation and urged for Sheikh’s custody to be transferred to the CBI immediately.

Responding to the allegations, the Attorney General representing the Bengal government asserted that investigation falls under the purview of the state and reiterated the state police’s capability to conduct a fair probe. However, the ASG argued that their concerns were not against the Bengal Police per se but rather focused on the involvement of a minister and the dilution of the FIR.

Shahjahan Sheikh, along with his associates, is implicated in cases related to land grabbing and sexual harassment, stemming from violent protests in Sandeshkhali island of North 24 Parganas district. Sheikh had been evading arrest since January 5 following an attack on ED officials by a mob of his supporters near his residence in Sandeshkhali. The attack occurred during a raid conducted by the ED in connection with a ration ‘scam’.