'We Will Approach Again,' Says CBI Top Source After WB Govt Refuses to Handover Shahjahan Sheikh's Case – News18

Following West Bengal’s government refusal on Tuesday to hand over former TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, the main suspect in the Sandeshkhali case, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), sources from the investigative agency informed CNN-News18 that they plan to make another attempt on Wednesday.

The source expressed that the state government’s denial was ‘strange,’ considering the order came from the Calcutta High Court instructing the transfer of the investigation to the central agency.

“They denied on the grounds that they have approached the Supreme Court, and we have not received any order regarding a stay so far. As we have already registered an FIR in the case, we are also probe agency and will reach out again for the same,” the source stated.

Earlier in the day, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of investigation into an attack on Enforcement Directorate officials at Sandeshkhali on January 5 from the West Bengal Police to the CBI.

The court also directed that the custody of Shajahan Sheikh, who was arrested by the West Bengal police on February 29 in connection with the attack, be handed over to the central agency.

Hours after the high court issued its order, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government approached the Supreme Court, contesting the Calcutta High Court’s decision to transfer the investigation to the CBI.

Meanwhile, in another major update concerning the Sandeshkhali case, the Enforcement Directorate said it had provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth Rs 12.78 crore in connection with the Sheikh Shahjahan case.