The Supreme Court, on March 11, dismissed the State of West Bengal’s petition challenging a Calcutta High Court order that transferred the investigation into the attack on Directorate of Enforcement (ED) officers at Sandeshkhali on January 5 to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). While rejecting the petition, the Bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and Sandeep Mehta ordered the removal of certain critical remarks and observations made against the State government and the police in the High Court’s March 5 order.
Senior advocates A.M. Singhvi and Jaideep Gupta represented West Bengal, and the Bench raised questions regarding the delayed arrest of suspended TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh after the January 5 attack. The court expressed concerns over the lack of prompt action against the accused, emphasizing the importance of swift arrests in such cases.
The transfer of the probe to the CBI marks a significant development, indicating the involvement of a national investigative agency in the case. The decision underscores the Supreme Court’s stance on ensuring a fair and impartial investigation into the attack on ED officers, a matter of national importance.
Despite the dismissal of the petition, the expunction of critical remarks by the Supreme Court serves as a measure to maintain a balanced and unbiased perspective on the actions of the State government and the police in West Bengal.
