The Calcutta High Court has granted custody of Sheikh Shahjahan, the former Trinamool leader accused of extortion, land grab, and sexual assault in Sandeshkhali, Bengal, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday.

Bengal Police was instructed to hand over Shahjahan and all relevant case materials to the CBI by 4:30 PM.

Following the court's decision, the Bengal government swiftly moved to challenge the order in the Supreme Court. However, the apex court refused an immediate hearing, stating that it would proceed according to the rules. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi was directed to mention the plea before the Registrar-General.

Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam, leading the High Court bench, overturned the previous order which established a special investigative team comprising both CBI and state police officials. The case has now been fully transferred to the central agency.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the state government separately contested the order; the ED sought the case to be exclusively handled by the CBI, while the state advocated for police involvement in the probe.

Shahjahan had been evading authorities since January 5, when a mob of his supporters attacked a team of Enforcement Directorate officials en route to conduct raids. His disappearance triggered a political firestorm, with the BJP accusing the ruling Trinamool of shielding him.

After 55 days on the run, Shahjahan was apprehended by a special police team and subsequently suspended from the Trinamool for six years. His arrest followed the High Court's directive three days prior.

Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee's comments about the judiciary's involvement in the case drew a sharp response from the court. Dismissing any stay on arrest, the court emphasised the imperative of Shahjahan's apprehension, rebuffing allegations of the Trinamool safeguarding him.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari characterised Shahjahan's arrest as a "mutual adjustment," highlighting the contentious nature of the situation.

The Shahjahan-Sandeshkhali controversy became a focal point of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Bengal. Modi condemned the Trinamool for allegedly shielding its former member and criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for prioritising certain individuals over the plight of women.