Calcutta High Court Orders Joint Probe into ED Officials Attack

The Calcutta High Court has ordered the formation of a joint special investigation team of the CBI and West Bengal police to investigate the attack on Enforcement Directorate officials in Sandeshkhali.

The Calcutta High Court has ordered the formation of a joint special investigation team (SIT) comprising officers from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the West Bengal Police to probe the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district on January 5.

SIT to be Monitored by Court

Justice Jay Sengupta directed that the probe will be monitored by the court and the SIT will file a progress report of the investigation on February 12, the next date of hearing in the case. The court's decision came in response to a prayer by the ED's counsel for the transfer of the investigation into the attack to the CBI, citing a lack of faith in the West Bengal Police's ability to conduct an impartial probe.

SIT Headed by CBI and State Police Officers

The SIT will be jointly headed by an SP rank officer from the CBI, whose name is to be provided to the court by Thursday, and Jaspreet Singh, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Islampur police district. Justice Sengupta granted the two officers the liberty to seek assistance from central forces or the state police in apprehending the accused persons.

Attack on ED Officials During Ration Scam Probe

The ED officials were attacked by a mob while searching the premises of Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh in connection with their probe into the money trail in a ration distribution scam case in West Bengal. According to a suo motu FIR lodged by the Nazat police station, around 3,000 people had gathered when the ED officials went for the search operation.

Police Picket and CCTV Cameras to Remain Operational

Justice Sengupta directed that the police picket and CCTV cameras installed around Sheikh's house will remain operational until decided otherwise by the SIT. The court was informed that 10 CCTV cameras were installed at the site, but the local police were yet to trace Sheikh.

ED's Concerns Over FIR and Investigation

The ED expressed concerns over the suo motu FIR filed by the police, stating that it did not include cognisable offences such as dacoity, despite the looting of their officials' belongings during the mob attack. The agency also highlighted that its probe into the alleged ration distribution scam had led them to Shajahan, prompting the search of his premises.

Interim Protection for ED Officials

Another bench of the Calcutta High Court had earlier granted interim protection to the ED officials in connection with an FIR lodged against them by Didar Baksh Molla, who claimed to be a caretaker of Shajahan's house. The court had ordered an interim stay on further proceedings by the state police on the FIR against the ED officials till March 31.

Court's Observations on Mob Attack and Investigation

Justice Sengupta observed that anyone could have lost their life in the mob attack and commended the restraint shown by the CRPF personnel in not escalating the situation. The court also noted that the registration of an FIR against the ED officials by the Nazat police station casts a serious shadow of doubt on the impartiality of its officers.

Constitutional Obligation to Uphold Rule of Law

Justice Sengupta emphasized the state's constitutional obligation to uphold the rule of law and not permit any form of anarchy or mobocracy. However, the court also expressed surprise that the ED, while seeking a CBI investigation into the mob violence case, had not sought the transfer of investigation of cases involving the predicate offences in the alleged ration scam from the state police to the CBI.

The Calcutta High Court's order for a joint CBI-West Bengal Police SIT to probe the attack on ED officials underscores the need for an impartial and thorough investigation into the incident. The court's observations on the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of law enforcement officials are crucial in maintaining public trust in the justice system.