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

In June 2019, three BJP-affiliated workers were found murdered in Sandeshkhali (North 24 Parganas) amid violent street clashes between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP.

Investigators initially linked the killings to local TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan, but the state CID later removed his name from the chargesheet.

The families alleged police inaction on a 2019 FIR that named Shahjahan. They even sought court protection and a CBI probe.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said the victims’ relatives feared reprisals and were placed in a police safe house for protection.