Calcutta High Court Orders Joint CBI-West Bengal Police SIT for Sandeshkhali Attack Probe

The Calcutta High Court has ordered the formation of a joint special investigation team (SIT) comprising the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and West Bengal police to investigate the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) expressed satisfaction with the Calcutta High Court's directive to form a joint special investigation team (SIT) comprising the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and West Bengal police to investigate the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali.

TMC Welcomes Court Order

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh welcomed the court order, stating that the party had always maintained that the central agency should involve the state police in any investigations or raids. He rejected the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) demand to hand over the case solely to the CBI, asserting that the High Court's decision vindicated TMC's position.

Background of the Attack

The ED officials were attacked by a mob while searching the premises of TMC leader Sahajahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, as part of an investigation into a ration distribution scam in West Bengal. The central agency's officials and accompanying CRPF personnel faced the assault.

BJP's Response

In response to TMC's remarks, BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya argued that the court order did not warrant celebration for the ruling party. He criticized the police for failing to apprehend the perpetrators even after 12 days of the incident and viewed the formation of the joint SIT as evidence of police failure.

The Calcutta High Court's directive to form a joint SIT comprising the CBI and West Bengal police has sparked differing reactions from the TMC and BJP. While TMC sees the order as a validation of its stance, the BJP maintains that it highlights police shortcomings in handling the case.