Calcutta HC orders CBI to probe 2019 Sandeshkhali murders

The Calcutta High Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into three murder cases dating back to 2019 in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas. The victims, identified as three BJP workers, were allegedly murdered during a period of heightened political tensions. The case takes on renewed significance as the name of Shahjahan Sheikh, currently suspended from the Trinamool Congress, had been linked to these killings. Justice Joy Sengupta of the High Court has specifically directed the CBI to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough investigation.

The allegations of murder date back to June 8, 2019, when Pradip Mondal, Debdas Mondal, and Sukanta Mondal, all residents of Sandeshkhali and reportedly BJP workers, were found dead. Initial police chargesheets in these murder cases had allegedly included Shahjahan's name. However, when the investigation was later transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), his name was purportedly removed from the chargesheet, a claim strongly made by the victims' families. This previous removal had raised significant questions about the fairness and transparency of the state-level investigation.

According to the families' complaints, in June 2019, a group of armed miscreants attacked Pradip Mondal's home in Sandeshkhali's Bhangipara area. Pradip, the middle son of the family, was allegedly chased and shot dead. Similarly, his cousin Sukanta Mondal's house was also attacked, and he too was reportedly shot dead. Another Sandeshkhali resident, Debdas Mondal, was also allegedly murdered around the same time, painting a grim picture of targeted violence.

The order for a CBI probe comes amid a series of recent controversies surrounding Shahjahan Sheikh. In early 2024, Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and paramilitary personnel were attacked when they went to raid Shahjahan's residence in connection with a ration distribution scam. Following this incident, a large section of residents in Sandeshkhali, particularly women, rose in protest against Shahjahan and his associates.