• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Fri, 08 Mar 2024 03:19 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Sandeshkhali Case: A team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches at the residence of suspended TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan in Sandeshkhali of West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Friday, officials said. The search came as part of the CBI's probe into the January 4 attack on an ED team that was on its way to raid Shahjahan's residence, they added.

A team of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) was also present at the scene of the raid. On Wednesday, the CBI took custody of Shahjahan from the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The CBI is reportedly mulling legal options on how to transfer Shahjahan, who was suspended from West Bengal's ruling TMC for six years last month, to New Delhi.

Shahjahan remained absconding for 55 days before being arrested by West Bengal Police. While being on the run, he also emerged as the central figure in women-led demonstrations in Sandeshkhali that accused him and other local TMC leaders of perpetrating sexual violence in the village. As he continued to remain in the wind, the high court sanctioned his arrest by either the state police, ED or CBI.

Sandeshkhali Case Latest Updates

- A CBI team searched the residence of arrested former TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan in Sandeshkhali on Friday in connection with the attack on ED officials that took place on January 4 in the village.

- A team of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) was also present at Shahjahan's residence during the raid.

- The CBI is likely to approach the Basirhat Sub-Divisional Court in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Saturday to seek the extension of its custody of Shahjahan, news agency IANS reported.

- On Thursday, the CBI submitted two FIRs filed against Shahjahan at the Basirhat court.

- The CBI is reportedly mulling legal options on how to transfer Shahjahan, who was suspended from West Bengal's ruling TMC for six years last month, to New Delhi, IANS said in a report on Thursday.

- He was handed over to the CBI by the state CID on Wednesday in compliance with an order passed by the Calcutta High Court earlier in the day.

- A similar order passed by the high court was not followed by West Bengal CID on the previous day. The CID refused to hand over the accused citing a plea before the Supreme Court filed by the West Bengal government.

- The TMC government has moved a plea before the Supreme Court challenging Calcutta High Court's order transferring the probe into the January 4 attack to the CBI.

- On Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attacked the BJP amidst the political slugfest over the unrest in Sandeshkhali, saying, "Where was the BJP when women were being paraded naked in Manipur?"

- Asserting that West Bengal is the safest state for women, Banerjee said, "Yesterday, you (BJP) came here and lectured about atrocities against women. I challenge you, Bengal is the only place where women are safe, and it is the safest state. Where was the BJP when women were paraded naked in Manipur? Where were you when Haryana was burning?"

(With inputs from agencies)