ED Raids Multiple Locations In Bengal's Sandeshkhali In Land-Grabbing Case Against Sheikh Shahjahan

The ED conducted raids at various locations in Bengal's Sandeshkhali since the early hours of March 14 in connection with a land-grabbing case involving detained expelled TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan.

File Photo: Sheikh Shahjahan, accused of sexual violence and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali village.

Source : PTI Images

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at various locations in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali since the early hours of Thursday (March 14) in connection with a land-grabbing case involving detained expelled TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan.

ED is conducting raids at multiple locations in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali since early morning in connection with a land-grabbing case against arrested expelled TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan

— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2024

#WATCH | West Bengal: ED conducts raids at multiple locations in Sandeshkhali in connection with a land-grabbing case against arrested expelled TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan. pic.twitter.com/ox44J4E7Zf

— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2024

This action follows the ED's filing of a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) pertaining to the matter. Officials confirm that raids have been conducted at four separate locations, news agency ANI reported. 

These raids come shortly after Shahjahan's recent arrest by Bengal police on charges including sexual abuse, originating from allegations made by Sandeshkhali residents in the North 24 Parganas district. His apprehension last month, following a 55-day evasion, triggered a jurisdictional dispute between central agencies and state law enforcement over custody.

In a notable incident, state authorities resisted surrendering him, citing the state government's legal contest in the Supreme Court. However, the high court clarified that its directive remained active, instructing Bengal police to transfer Shahjahan to the CBI.

On March 11, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) detained three associates of suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan in relation to an attack on ED officials on January 5.

Among those apprehended are Jaiuddin Molla, the head of the Sarberia gram panchayat, Faruk Akunji, and Didar Baksh Molla. Their arrest brings the total number of individuals detained in connection to the ED officials' assault to four. A CBI statement indicates that the accused will appear before the court on Tuesday.

Shahjahan's affiliation with the TMC began in 2013, two years following the party's ascendancy to power in the state, succeeding the Left Front government.

His political prominence was identified by former state minister and TMC figure Jyoti Priya Mallick after the TMC's victory in 2011. Mallick is presently incarcerated due to alleged involvement in a multi-crore ration distribution scandal.