CBI Takes Over Probe into Sandeshkhali Killings, FIR Against Shahjahan Sheikh
GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 6th July: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has formally taken over the probe into the murder of three BJP workers — Pradeep Mondal, Devdas Mondal, and Sukanta Mondal — who were killed during post-poll violence in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali in 2019. The agency has registered an FIR against former Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh, officials confirmed on Saturday.
The move follows a directive from the Calcutta High Court issued on June 30, in which Justice Joy Sengupta ordered the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) under CBI supervision, with the investigation to be overseen by a joint director.
“The court finds that the state police have repeatedly failed to act against the prime accused at various stages, resulting in a gross miscarriage of justice,” the judge noted in his order. He added that “whenever allegations are made against Sheikh, the state police tend to falter — whether it’s the local police or the CID.”
The three BJP workers were allegedly killed by a mob led by Sheikh during a violent attack on their village in Sandeshkhali following the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Although the West Bengal CID was initially probing the case, the victims’ families petitioned the High Court for a CBI investigation, citing lack of progress and political interference.
Shahjahan Sheikh, the key accused, is already in judicial custody for his alleged role in the January 2024 assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials during a raid at his Sandeshkhali residence. That raid was linked to a multi-crore ration distribution scam, which is also under CBI and ED investigation.
Justice Sengupta observed that the police had shown a consistent pattern of inaction in cases involving Sheikh, including the ED assault incident. “This raises serious questions about the impartiality and effectiveness of the state police in such politically sensitive matters,” he said.
Apart from the killings, Sheikh and his associates are also facing serious allegations of land grabbing and sexual exploitation of women in Sandeshkhali, a riverine region located about 80 km from Kolkata.
With the CBI now leading the probe into the triple murder, along with other cases involving Sheikh, the spotlight returns to Sandeshkhali, which has emerged as a symbol of political violence and alleged criminal-political nexus in Bengal.
