The Supreme Court dismissed the West Bengal government's petition challenging the Calcutta High Court's direction for a CBI probe into allegations of crimes against women and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali. Rejecting the plea, the Supreme Court said that the CBI will continue to investigate all 43 cases related to the Sandeshkhali incident.

A bench of Justices B. R. Gavai and K. V. Viswanathan asked why the West Bengal Government was willing to stop a separate CBI probe when there were so many allegations of violence against women and sexual harassment in Sandeshkhali. Is the state trying to save someone?

The Sandeshkhali incident came to light earlier this year. On January 5, ED officials raided TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan's house in Sandeshkhali in connection with the ration scam. It is alleged that local residents following Sheikh Shahjahan beat up the central intelligence. ED officers crack their heads. Then more horrific allegations came into light . Sandeshkhali's mother and sisters roared. It was alleged that Sheikh Shahjahan's forces used to grab land and torture women in the area. The women of the village took to the streets with bamboo, sticks, and tree trunks to protest. Fire burned in the streets.

The Calcutta High Court had taken suo motu cognizance of allegations of atrocities against women and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali. A division bench of Chief Justice Sivagnanam ordered a CBI probe. The High Court also raised the question of why Sheikh Shahjahan could not be arrested even after so many days. Following the High Court's order, the state government moved to the Supreme Court.

The case came up in the Supreme Court on April 29. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhi, appearing for the West Bengal Government, said that some information has come to light in the Sandeshkhali case and it will take 2-3 weeks to submit it. Let the hearing be adjourned for that time. Justice Gavai complied with the plea and directed that the investigation process should not be hampered in any way. 

However, on this day, the Supreme Court upheld the order of the CBI investigation in the Sandeshkhali case.