The Supreme Court delivered its verdict on Monday, rejecting the plea put forth by the West Bengal government challenging the directive of the Calcutta High Court. The High Court had previously ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the assault on the Enforcement Directorate and central paramilitary force teams at Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas district on January 5.
However, the bench, led by Justice B.R. Gavai, decided to expunge the adverse remarks directed at the state government and its police force from the contentious judgment of the high court.
Justice Gavai noted, "Learned Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju has candidly expressed that the respondent (central agency) does not wish to uphold those remarks. He has conveyed that if those remarks are expunged, he raises no objection. Hence, we see no merit in entertaining the petition (lodged by the state government)… Nevertheless, the observations regarding the conduct of the police and state government in the impugned order are considered expunged," The bench also included Justice Sandeep Mehta.
On March 5, the Calcutta High Court had instructed an independent CBI investigation and directed the West Bengal Police to transfer the prime accused behind the attack, Sheikh Shahjahan, from the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to the CBI on the same day.
In response, the state government lodged a Special Leave Petition (SLP) with the apex court, arguing that the High Court's decision to transfer the investigation to the CBI was hastily made and infringed upon its right to seek recourse available under the law.
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