The West Bengal government has taken a decisive step in the escalating legal saga surrounding Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh. Challenging a recent directive from the Calcutta High Court, the state government has approached the Supreme Court, signaling a pivotal moment in the unfolding controversy. 

This move comes on the High Court's decision to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against Sheikh for his alleged involvement in the assault of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers.

Senior Advocate AM Singhvi, representing the West Bengal government, brought the matter before a bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta. The bench, however, redirected Singhvi to present the plea before the Chief Justice of India, signaling the gravity and complexity of the case.

The legal saga took a dramatic turn on March 4 when the Calcutta High Court intervened in the ongoing investigation concerning Sheikh's purported attack on ED officials. Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya issued an order directing the West Bengal Police to suspend their inquiry until a decision is reached on whether the State Police or the CBI should spearhead the investigation.

The genesis of the legal imbroglio traces back to January 5, when supporters of Shahjahan Sheikh allegedly assaulted a team of ED officials in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district. The ED team was probing Sheikh's alleged involvement in irregularities within the public distribution system, purportedly linked to former state minister Jyoti Priya Mallick.

Shahjahan Sheikh, a controversial figure in Sandeshkhali, stands accused in a litany of crimes, including sexual assault and land grabbing, exacerbating tensions in the region. Despite being the prime suspect in multiple cases, Sheikh has managed to evade authorities since the January 5 incident, prompting accusations of complicity from various quarters.

Of particular concern are allegations levied by numerous women in Sandeshkhali, who have accused Sheikh and his cohorts of coercive land grabs and sexual assaults, plunging the area into turmoil. The failure to apprehend Sheikh has underscored the challenges faced by both state and central agencies in bringing him to justice.