Calcutta HC protection to ED officials in Sandeshkhali incident

In a big relief, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted interim protection to ED officials in the Sandeshkhali incident in West Bengal, where they were attacked by a mob when they went to search TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh’s house on January 5 in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam. The protection came as Justice Rajasekhar Mantha ordered an interim stay on further proceedings by the state police on an FIR against those officials till March 31.

The central agency appealed before the court requesting it to reject the FIR slapped on its officials. The high court has asked the state government to file an affidavit as it said there were inconsistencies in the three FIRs registered in the case, and also asked for a case diary.

There are three FIRs in the case — the first was lodged by the caretaker of Shajahan’s house, a second one was filed suo motu by the Nazat police on the incident on the basis of a general diary by a sub-inspector of the police station, while the third was by the ED. In his FIR, the caretaker has stated that some people “posing” as ED officers barged into the house, damaged property and stole Rs 1,35,000. So, the ED is facing a case of theft.

According to the ED, on reaching Sandeshkhali at 7.15 am, they found Shajahan’s house locked. Despite several attempts to the TMC leader, except once, he was unavailable on his mobile phone.

Officials of the ED stated in the FIR that Shajahan attended their call only once, but when he realised who was on the other end, disconnected the call and did not pick up after that. The ED said his cellphone was found to be continuously engaged for about half an hour.

The agency said Shajahan was in all likelihood gathering a mob. It said at least 3,000 attacked officials following which three were left injured and a car damaged. The officials were able to escape only after they took help from the police.

The ED reached out to the court twice. On Wednesday (January 10), it appealed against the state police questioning its role. On this point, the judge said no coercive action will be taken. On Thursday, the ED, yet again reached the court and demanded that the FIR against its officials should be cancelled.

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