The Calcutta High Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the 2019 murders of three BJP workers in Sandeshkhali, located in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district. Justice Jay Sengupta directed the CBI to form a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the deaths of Pradip Mondal, Debdas Mondal, and Sukanta Mondal, who were allegedly murdered on June 8, 2019.

The court's decision comes after allegations of police inaction in the initial investigation. Petitioners claimed that authorities did not act on the complaint filed in 2019 because Sheikh Shahjahan, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) functionary, and his associates were named as accused. Shahjahan is currently suspended from the TMC and is in judicial custody for allegedly assaulting Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and CAPF personnel in January 2024.

Shahjahan Sheikh rose to prominence after a mob attacked ED officials who were at his Sandeshkhali home in early 2024 to investigate a ration corruption case. Subsequently, numerous allegations surfaced against Shahjahan and his associates, including forcibly occupying agricultural land, constructing fish ponds on the occupied land, and torturing local women.

The CBI is already investigating Shahjahan in connection with the attack on ED officials, allegations of sexual harassment of women, and illegal land grabbing in Sandeshkhali. The court has asked the CBI to submit a progress report on the investigation within eight weeks.

The High Court's order has been welcomed by the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, who stated that the ruling demonstrates the state administration's protection of criminals with the support of the TMC.

This is not the first time Shahjahan's name has appeared in murder investigations. According to reports, his name was initially included in the charge sheet for the 2019 murders but was later removed when the CID took over the investigation. Shahjahan was also named in a 2022 murder case but was later granted bail. The CBI SIT is expected to re-examine witness statements, forensic evidence, and previous charge sheets.