Bengal govt's challenge to Centre over CBI probe into cases without state's consent is valid: Supreme Court

The top court has approved the state government's challenge to CBI probing cases in the state even after the withdrawal of consent.

West Bengal is one of the opposition-ruled states that have withdrawn consent to the CBI for probing into cases within its jurisdiction.

The state government alleged the Centre, which is at the loggerheads with Mamata Banerjee, is misusing CBI.

The next hearing will be held on August 13, 2024.

Reacting to the judgement, the Trinamool Congress has posted on X, "Truth always wins! This decision by the apex court is a lesson to those who want to undermine a democratically elected state government by misusing central agencies. Any threat to our foundational principle of federalism will not be accepted.

"The move also makes it clear that no one can meddle with a state's law and order for their selfish political interests."

The order is significant as the Supreme Court days ago upheld the Calcutta High Court's order of a CBI probe into the allegations levelled against Shahjahan by several women from Sandeshkhali.

The Supreme Court rapped the state government saying, "Why should the state be interested in protecting someone?"

The West Bengal government had moved the top court challenging the CBI probe into Sandeshkhali case where several women from the island accused now suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides of land grab and sexual assault.