'Why should State file plea to protect accused': SC on Bengal govt's plea against CBI probe into Sandeshkhali case

The court, however, allowed the plea for adjournment and posted the matter in July.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the West Bengal government for filing a plea against a direction to transfer the probe into charges of mass sexual exploitation of women and land grab in Sandeshkhali, allegedly by a ruling TMC party member, now suspended, Sheikh Shahjahan and others, to the CBI

"Why should the State file a petition to protect some private entitles," a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta orally asked the West Bengal counsel.

The state government led by senior advocates A M Singhvi and Jaydeep Gupta sought adjournment initially for two weeks and then one week in the matter to file additional documents.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta asked why the State should be aggrieved in the matter.

The counsel contended that there were observations and comments made by the Calcutta High Court's division bench, which were "not fair as the State has taken efforts in the matter".

The bench said the state government could have filed an application before the high court for expunging of those remarks.

The court finally allowed the plea for adjournment and posted the matter in July.

The bench, however, clarified that the pendency of the special leave petition here would not be used for prolonging any proceedings or to be used for any purposes.

During the hearing, the court at one point of time observed that it was not inclined to entertain the petition as the state government sought adjournment.

The Calcutta High Court had on April 10 ordered for the CBI probe into charges of sexual exploitation of women and land grab made against suspended TMC leader Shahjahan and others in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district.

The plea claimed the HC failed to notice the PILs were filed by the interested parties with oblique political motives. It had contended that the HC also ignored 43 FIRs were filed by the police, in 42 cases, chargesheets have been filed under various penal sections, including Section 376 IPC. In seven cases of land grabbing, chargesheets have been filed on February 8, 2024, apart from 24 cases of land grabbing having been registered by the state police.

Widespread protests were witnessed in Sandeshkhali since February 7, 2024, alleging molestation, rape and land grabbing against TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates, Shibu Hazra and Sushanta Sardar alias Uttam Sardar.