In a culmination of a two-day standoff between the Bengal government and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), suspended Trinamool leader Sheikh Shahjahan, the prime accused in the Sandeshkhali extortion, land grab, and sexual assault cases, was handed over to the CBI today evening.
The Calcutta High Court had earlier ordered the state to transfer Shahjahan and all related case materials to the CBI by 4:30 pm on Tuesday. Despite a last-minute appeal filed at the Supreme Court, which was denied an urgent hearing, the state eventually complied with the court's directive.