Several women in Sandeshkhali had accused Sheikh and his supporters of land-grab and sexually assaulting them under coercion. (PTI File)
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered a CBI probe into the alleged crimes against women and forcible land-grab in Sandeshkhali.
Sandeshkhali has become one of the biggest issues in West Bengal ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been up in arms against the West Bengal Chie Minister Mamata Banerjee over the alleged sexual assault of women by suspended TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh. On Wednesday, Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing a rally in in North 24 Parganas, attacked Mamata Banerjee over the issue, saying it was a matter of shame that “Mamata Banerjee, despite being a women chief minister, tried to protect the culprits.”
Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered a CBI probe into the alleged crimes against women and forcible land-grab in Sandeshkhali. The court said that it will monitor the investigation, and directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a report on illegal conversion of agricultural land for pisciculture. The investigating agency has also come up with a portal where people can register their voices. All witnesses will be given protection, sources said.
Several local women in Sandeshkhali, a small riverine island in West Bengal, have alleged land-grabbing and sexual abuse by Shahjahan Sheikh and his men, who are involved in fish farming and trading.
Here is a look at the sequence of events that have unfolded in the Sandeshkhali case so far:
On January 5, 2024, a team of the Enforcement Directorate went to raid the premises of Sheikh Shahjahan. His supporters attacked the ED team, leaving three officials injured. They also helped Shahjahan escape.
On February 8, local women carrying brooms and sticks blocked the main road in Sandeshkhali, demanding the arrest of Shahjahan and his two aides, Shiba Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar. On February 9, women protesters attacked Hazra’s properties and set fire to his poultry farm.
On February 10, Shahjahan’s aide Uttam Sardar was arrested.
On February 13, a special 10-member female police team led by IPS Soma Das Mitra visited Sandeshkhali.
On February 14, notices were issued to senior officials in West Bengal by Lok Sabha Privileges Committee after a complaint was filed by BJP MP Dr Sukanta Majumdar, alleging that he was stopped by the state police from going to Sandeshkhali and was injured in the process.
On February 17, the police added charges of gangrape and attempted murder against Hazra and Sardar, following which Shiba Prasad Hazra was arrested on February 18.
On February 20, the Calcutta HC pulled up the West Bengal government and asked Sheikh Shahjahan to surrender.
On February 21, West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar said that police will listen to individual complaints in Sandeshkhali and strict action will be taken against the culprits.
On February 22, Sandeshkhali residents freed a children’s park taken over by Shahjahan’s men.
On February 23, locals set fire to properties belonging to Trinamool Congress leaders in Sandeshkhali.
On February 24, a TMC delegation visited the village and assured people that they will get justice.
On February 26, the Calcutta HC said that Shahjahan should be arrested.
On February 27, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda asked the Mamata Banerjee government to file a report within 72 hours if they fail to arrest Shahjahan.
On February 28, HC allowed senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari to visit the village.
On February 29, Shahjahan was suspended from TMC for 6 years and was finally arrested.