Shaikh, once a member of Nitesh-headed non-government organisation Swabhiman Sanghatana, had alleged that Nitesh shot him at the NGO's office last September. On March 24, the high court transferred the probe from local crime branch to the CBI in response to a petition filed by Shaikh. "Following the high court directive, we have lodged an FIR and are investigating the case," a senior CBI official said.
Shaikh claimed in the petition that Narayan Rane, a Congress leader and state cabinet minister, was interfering in the probe, so it should be transferred to the CBI.
As per Shaikh's complaint with the Powai police on September 23, Nitesh, who was upset that day for some reason, had shot at him twice at NGO's Khar office. Shaikh alleged that a bullet grazed his cheek, causing an injury. The high court had said that there were "inexplicable circumstances which create doubt about the manner in which the investigation has taken off soon after the incident."