Indian Supreme Court on Monday (Feb 19) rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a court-monitored probe by government agencies into the violence in Sandeshkhali village in West Bengal state.&nbsp;

India's top court said that the incident that happened in Sandeshkhali could not be compared to the violence in northern eastern state of Manipur. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Augustine George Masih said that the Calcutta High Court is already seized of the matter.&nbsp;

The bench said: "The local high court will be the best to assess the situation. Let there be no dual forums." The bench also granted the PIL petitioner the liberty to approach the high court.&nbsp;

This development comes amid reports that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari apparently said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the region.&nbsp;

As per reports, Adhikari was granted permission by the Calcutta High Court to visit Sandehkhali. He is expected to visit the gram panchayat in Sandeshkhali Block-II on Tuesday, as directed by Justice Kaushik Chanda.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/farmers-protest-in-india-samyukta-kisan-morcha-rejects-centres-five-year-msp-contract-offer-691742">Farmers' body in India rejects government's five-year MSP contract offer calling it diversion</a>&nbsp;

<h2>What's happening in Sandeshkhali?&nbsp;</h2>

Sandeshkhali is a village in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district. It has seen violent protests amid allegations that a local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and his supporters sexually abused women.&nbsp;

Several women have accused local TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and his allies of land-grabbing and sexual abuse. As per the report, Sheikh has been on the run.&nbsp;

While talking to the media, National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma said that several women came forward and complained about molestation when she visited Sandeshkhali.&nbsp;

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"A home has been built by the Governor for the women of Sandeshkhali. Those who feel that they are not safe in their homes can come here and live," Sharma said.&nbsp;

"The demand of the women of Sandeshkhali is safety and we will ensure that. I want to request the state police to work without getting afraid and by staying away from the political agenda," she added.&nbsp;

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(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Indian Supreme Court on Monday (Feb 19) rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a court-monitored probe by government agencies into the violence in Sandeshkhali village in West Bengal state.

Indian Supreme Court on Monday (Feb 19) rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a court-monitored probe by government agencies into the violence in Sandeshkhali village in West Bengal state. India's top court said that the incident that happened in Sandeshkhali could not be compared to the violence in northern eastern state of Manipur. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Augustine George Masih said that the Calcutta High Court is already seized of the matter. The bench said: "The local high court will be the best to assess the situation. Let there be no dual forums." The bench also granted the PIL petitioner the liberty to approach the high court. This development comes amid reports that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari apparently said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the region. As per reports, Adhikari was granted permission by the Calcutta High Court to visit Sandehkhali. He is expected to visit the gram panchayat in Sandeshkhali Block-II on Tuesday, as directed by Justice Kaushik Chanda. Also read: Farmers' body in India rejects government's five-year MSP contract offer calling it diversion What's happening in Sandeshkhali? Sandeshkhali is a village in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district. It has seen violent protests amid allegations that a local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and his supporters sexually abused women. Several women have accused local TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and his allies of land-grabbing and sexual abuse. As per the report, Sheikh has been on the run. While talking to the media, National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma said that several women came forward and complained about molestation when she visited Sandeshkhali. Also read: SP’s Akhilesh Yadav shuns Rahul Gandhi’s march as deeper crack appears in oppn INDIA bloc "A home has been built by the Governor for the women of Sandeshkhali. Those who feel that they are not safe in their homes can come here and live," Sharma said. "The demand of the women of Sandeshkhali is safety and we will ensure that. I want to request the state police to work without getting afraid and by staying away from the political agenda," she added. #WATCH | West Bengal: NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma says, "Today I visited Sandeshkhali and several women came forward and complained about molestation...Those who sit far away and comment that it is a political agenda should once visit here... A home has been built by the… pic.twitter.com/VTXdAlE1YG — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024 × (With inputs from agencies)

Sandeshkhali violence: India's top court rejects PIL seeking court-monitored probe

India’s economic intelligence agency Enforcement Directorate (ED) has reportedly issued a lookout notice for Shahjahan Sheikh, a leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party after the agency’s officials were attacked by a mob for the second time in a row within a span of a few hours in the state of West Bengal.&nbsp;

The team of officials from the central agency were attacked by a mob in the Sandeshkhali village of West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district when they were carrying out raids on Sheikh’s home for his alleged involvement in a million dollar ration distribution scam in the state.&nbsp;

<h2>Why was a lookout notice issued?</h2>

During the raids conducted by the ED late on Friday (Jan 5), the agency focussed its attention on former Bongaon Municipality Chairman and TMC&nbsp;leader Shankar Adhya who was arrested following an extensive search.&nbsp;

The ED reported that a sizeable mob, numbering between 800 and 1000 individuals, launched a violent attack on their officials with the apparent intent to cause harm.

The case for which the raids were conducted pertains&nbsp;to alleged corruption in ration distribution during the COVID-19 lockdown. Sheikh was being investigated due to his reported close links to the state food minister Jyoti Priya Mallick.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-tmc-leader-shankar-adhya-arrested-in-alleged-ration-scam-hours-after-mob-attack-on-ed-officials-677054">India: TMC leader Shankar Adhya arrested in alleged ration scam hours after mob attack on ED officials</a>

The ED issued a lookout notice for Sheikh and his four brothers on Saturday (Jan 6) after&nbsp;reportedly saying&nbsp;that the TMC official tried to cross over to Bangladesh but failed as&nbsp;security along the international border has been heightened due to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-elections-2024-live-polling-begins-as-pm-sheikh-hasina-eyes-another-term-677303">elections in the country.</a>&nbsp;

In a statement, the central agency said that their officials who were accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, were “badly attacked by crowds” who they said were suspected to be instigated by “Sheikh and his associates.”

At least three officers were hospitalised after they suffered what the ED has described as “grievous injuries” as the mob marched towards the officials “with an intention to cause death”.&nbsp;

The mob, according to the ED, also snatched official and personal belongings including laptops, wallets and cash. The police said no arrests were made as of Saturday evening but a few people have been detained for questioning.&nbsp;

In the statement, the central agency said that when they arrived at Sheikh’s house on Friday, the door was locked from the inside and the TMC leader refused to open it. “His mobile location at that time indicated that he was inside this house.”

Around half an hour later, the ED officials were&nbsp;taken by surprise after the mob charged them with weapons like lathis, stones, bricks, etc., and gheraoed them.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>FIRs against the ED officials</h2>

The police said that they have registered three FIRs, including one against ED officials.&nbsp;

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One FIR was registered against the central agency’s officials based on a complaint lodged by the caretaker of Sheikh’s house who alleged that the agency officials tried to enter the house without proper documents, according to media reports citing officials.&nbsp;

The second one was filed based on the complaint by ED under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) involving rioting and assault on public servants. The third one was suo motu registered by the police against unknown persons for attacking officers of the central agency.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

India’s economic intelligence agency Enforcement Directorate (ED) has reportedly issued a lookout notice for Shahjahan Sheikh, a leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party after the agency’s officials were attacked by a mob for the second time in a row within a span of a few hours in the state of West Bengal.

India’s economic intelligence agency Enforcement Directorate (ED) has reportedly issued a lookout notice for Shahjahan Sheikh, a leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party after the agency’s officials were attacked by a mob for the second time in a row within a span of a few hours in the state of West Bengal. The team of officials from the central agency were attacked by a mob in the Sandeshkhali village of West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district when they were carrying out raids on Sheikh’s home for his alleged involvement in a million dollar ration distribution scam in the state. Why was a lookout notice issued? During the raids conducted by the ED late on Friday (Jan 5), the agency focussed its attention on former Bongaon Municipality Chairman and TMC leader Shankar Adhya who was arrested following an extensive search. The ED reported that a sizeable mob, numbering between 800 and 1000 individuals, launched a violent attack on their officials with the apparent intent to cause harm. The case for which the raids were conducted pertains to alleged corruption in ration distribution during the COVID-19 lockdown. Sheikh was being investigated due to his reported close links to the state food minister Jyoti Priya Mallick. ALSO READ | India: TMC leader Shankar Adhya arrested in alleged ration scam hours after mob attack on ED officials The ED issued a lookout notice for Sheikh and his four brothers on Saturday (Jan 6) after reportedly saying that the TMC official tried to cross over to Bangladesh but failed as security along the international border has been heightened due to the elections in the country. In a statement, the central agency said that their officials who were accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, were “badly attacked by crowds” who they said were suspected to be instigated by “Sheikh and his associates.” At least three officers were hospitalised after they suffered what the ED has described as “grievous injuries” as the mob marched towards the officials “with an intention to cause death”. The mob, according to the ED, also snatched official and personal belongings including laptops, wallets and cash. The police said no arrests were made as of Saturday evening but a few people have been detained for questioning. In the statement, the central agency said that when they arrived at Sheikh’s house on Friday, the door was locked from the inside and the TMC leader refused to open it. “His mobile location at that time indicated that he was inside this house.” Around half an hour later, the ED officials were taken by surprise after the mob charged them with weapons like lathis, stones, bricks, etc., and gheraoed them. FIRs against the ED officials The police said that they have registered three FIRs, including one against ED officials. ALSO READ | Putin vows to support soldiers fighting in Ukraine while wives of those mobilised protest near Kremlin One FIR was registered against the central agency’s officials based on a complaint lodged by the caretaker of Sheikh’s house who alleged that the agency officials tried to enter the house without proper documents, according to media reports citing officials. The second one was filed based on the complaint by ED under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) involving rioting and assault on public servants. The third one was suo motu registered by the police against unknown persons for attacking officers of the central agency. (With inputs from agencies)

India: ED issues lookout notice against TMC’s Shahjahan Sheikh after agency officials attacked by mob

A team of ED officers and CRPF troops were attacked by a mob in West Bengal on Friday during a raid at the house of a local Trinamool leader Sheikh Sajahan. Watch this report to know more.

ED team and CRPF troops attacked during a raid in West Bengal

West Bengal: ED team and CRPF troops attacked during raid