A number of girls in Sandeshkhali had accused Sheikh and his supporters of land-grab and sexually assaulting them below coercion. (PTI File)
The Calcutta Excessive Court docket on Wednesday ordered a CBI probe into the alleged crimes in opposition to girls and forcible land-grab in Sandeshkhali.
Sandeshkhali has develop into one of many greatest points in West Bengal forward of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP) has been up in arms in opposition to the West Bengal Chie Minister Mamata Banerjee over the alleged sexual assault of ladies by suspended TMC chief Shahjahan Sheikh. On Wednesday, Dwelling Minister Amit Shah, whereas addressing a rally in in North 24 Parganas, attacked Mamata Banerjee over the difficulty, saying it was a matter of disgrace that “Mamata Banerjee, regardless of being a girls chief minister, tried to guard the culprits.”
In the meantime, the Calcutta Excessive Court docket on Wednesday ordered a CBI probe into the alleged crimes in opposition to girls and forcible land-grab in Sandeshkhali. The court docket mentioned that it’s going to monitor the investigation, and directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a report on unlawful conversion of agricultural land for pisciculture. The investigating company has additionally provide you with a portal the place individuals can register their voices. All witnesses can be given safety, sources mentioned.
A number of native girls in Sandeshkhali, a small riverine island in West Bengal, have alleged land-grabbing and sexual abuse by Shahjahan Sheikh and his males, who’re concerned in fish farming and buying and selling.
Here’s a take a look at the sequence of occasions which have unfolded within the Sandeshkhali case thus far:
On January 5, 2024, a crew of the Enforcement Directorate went to raid the premises of Sheikh Shahjahan. His supporters attacked the ED crew, leaving three officers injured. In addition they helped Shahjahan escape.
On February 8, native girls carrying brooms and sticks blocked the primary street in Sandeshkhali, demanding the arrest of Shahjahan and his two aides, Shiba Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar. On February 9, girls protesters attacked Hazra’s properties and set hearth to his poultry farm.
On February 10, Shahjahan’s aide Uttam Sardar was arrested.
On February 13, a particular 10-member feminine police crew led by IPS Soma Das Mitra visited Sandeshkhali.
On February 14, notices had been issued to senior officers in West Bengal by Lok Sabha Privileges Committee after a grievance was filed by BJP MP Dr Sukanta Majumdar, alleging that he was stopped by the state police from going to Sandeshkhali and was injured within the course of.
On February 17, the police added prices of gangrape and tried homicide in opposition to Hazra and Sardar, following which Shiba Prasad Hazra was arrested on February 18.
On February 20, the Calcutta HC pulled up the West Bengal authorities and requested Sheikh Shahjahan to give up.
On February 21, West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar mentioned that police will hearken to particular person complaints in Sandeshkhali and strict motion can be taken in opposition to the culprits.
On February 22, Sandeshkhali residents freed a kids’s park taken over by Shahjahan’s males.
On February 23, locals set hearth to properties belonging to Trinamool Congress leaders in Sandeshkhali.
On February 24, a TMC delegation visited the village and guaranteed those who they are going to get justice.
On February 26, the Calcutta HC mentioned that Shahjahan needs to be arrested.
On February 27, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda requested the Mamata Banerjee authorities to file a report inside 72 hours in the event that they fail to arrest Shahjahan.
On February 28, HC allowed senior BJP chief Suvendu Adhikari to go to the village.
On February 29, Shahjahan was suspended from TMC for six years and was lastly arrested.
