Sandeshkhali Case: Shajahan Sheikh's Brother Among 3 Arrested By CBI For Attack On ED Sleuths

The CBI took over three FIRs registered by the West Bengal Police on the directions of the Calcutta High Court.

Security personnel stand guard at Bhavani Bhawan (West Bengal Police headquarters)

Source : PTI

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday arrested three people, including the brother of suspended TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh, in the January 5 attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal. Among those arrested were Sheikh Alomgir, the brother of suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shajahan Sheikh, Mafujar Molla, the president of TMC's student wing in Sandeshkhali, and Sirajul Molla, a local resident, would be produced before a local court on Sunday.

The agency took into custody Sheikh's brother and two others during their questioning. The CBI took over three FIRs registered by the West Bengal Police on the directions of the Calcutta High Court. "After detailed examination, and according to technical evidence collected, they were arrested by the CBI today", the officials said, reported PTI.

The arrests by the Central Bureau of Investigation have brought the total number of individuals detained in connection with the case to 14. The agency's investigation suggests that these individuals were purportedly involved in the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials on January 5 and allegedly incited a crowd to target the team during their raid on the premises of Sheikh in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, they said.

Sheikh's arrest on February 29 came after a 55-day period during which he was on the run, following violent protests led by women, who alleged sexual atrocities and land grabs. His disappearance coincided with a mob attack on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) team that had gone to search his residence in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam.

Subsequently, the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) assumed control of the investigation into the allegations against him. Later, upon the order of the Calcutta High Court, he was transferred to the custody of the CBI.

On March 10, the court granted the CBI custody of Sheikh for an initial period of four days, which was subsequently extended by another eight days until March 22.

Sandeshkhali Case: CBI Took Control Over Investigation 

The CBI has assumed control over the investigation into three cases linked to the incidents that occurred on January 5, involving the attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team by a mob estimated to be around 1,000-strong. Additionally, a former state minister has been arrested in connection with the ration scam case, as per PTI.

Sheikh, the central figure in the investigation, was apprehended by the state police on February 29, following a high court directive allowing the CBI, ED, or the West Bengal Police to arrest him.