Six years after three Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers were allegedly murdered and mutilated in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas, the Calcutta High Court on Monday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation probe.

Justice Joy Sengupta directed that the CBI’s Joint Director lead the investigation, with progress monitored by the trial court.

In June 2019, BJP workers Pradeep Mondal, Devdas Mondal and Sukanta Mondal were found dead. Their families, Supriya Mondal and Padma Mondal, filed two FIRs, and the state CID initially handled the case. Sheikh Shahjahan, a prime accused, was later dropped from both charge sheets, according to the victims’ relatives.

On January 8 last year, backed by Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari, the families returned to the High Court, seeking a CBI probe. Shahjahan has been in judicial custody since his arrest on January 5, 2024, following an alleged assault on ED officers during a raid at his Sandeshkhali home. His bail plea is pending before the High Court.

Locals, especially women, have long protested Shahjahan’s influence, accusing him and his associates of land grabs, forced fish pond construction on occupied fields and harassment of residents. Opposition parties, including the BJP, staged demonstrations in response to these allegations.