Kolkata, March 8 (IANS) – The CBI is set to approach the Basirhat Sub-Divisional Court in West Bengal on Saturday to seek an extension of custody for TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan, the accused mastermind behind the January 5 attack on ED and CAPF sleuths in Sandeshkhali. The agency argues that they need more time for interrogation.
Shahjahan was arrested on February 28 and presented in court the next day, remanded to ten days of police custody which is set to expire. A team of CBI officials and armed personnel reached Shahjahan’s residence in Sandeshkhali on Friday. Sources say Shahjahan has started cooperating with the investigating officials during interrogation.
The accused has been confronted with call lists from his mobile phones, showing 28 phone calls made within 30 minutes before the attack on January 5. The combined CBI-CAPF team of 50 members, along with forensic experts, is taking special security precautions. Shahjahan’s cooperation in the last two days of custody is seen as a positive development.
