The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) slapped charges of criminal conspiracy and attempt to murder on suspended TMC leader Shahajahan Sheikh, his brother and five others in connection with a mob attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team in Sandeshkhali on January 5.
In it first chargesheet filed on Monday before a Basirhat special court, the CBI officials said that the ED team came under attack from a 1,000-strong mob when it went to raid Sheikh's house in connection with the multi-crore ration distribution scam in West Bengal. The ED team went to arrest Sheikh because of his alleged close links with arrested former state food minister Jyoti Priya Mallick, under the scanner in the scam, the PTI reported.
The CBI has filed the chargesheet against seven persons, including Sheikh, his brother Alomgir and associates Jiauddin Mollah, Mafujar Mollah, and Didarbaksh Mollah, the report said quoting officials.
IPC Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 307 (attempt to murder) have been invoked by the CBI against the accused.
West Bengal's Sandeshkhali made headlines after local women alleged land-grabbing and sexual abuse by the suspended TMC leader Sheikh and his men, who are involved in fish farming and trading.
Sheikh was arrested by the state police on February 29 and was sent into CBI custody on March 6.