ED's Bengal Unit Likely To Seek NIA Probe Into Sandeshkhali Attack, Submits Report To HQ: Official

The West Bengal unit of ED submitted a report to its headquarters about the attack on its team during a raid in the state's North 24 Parganas district last week.

The West Bengal unit of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday forwarded a detailed report to its central headquarters concerning the recent assault on its team during a raid in North 24 Parganas district, news agency PTI reported citing officials.

During the raid last week at the residence of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali, the ED team faced aggression, resulting in injuries to three officers and damage to multiple agency vehicles. This operation was part of an investigation into suspected irregularities within the state's ration distribution system.

As reported by PTI, sources within the agency informed the news agency that, based on the submitted report, the ED headquarters might request an NIA probe into the incident. The report, comprising two pages, meticulously outlines the events and includes video evidence of the assault. Additionally, media coverage detailing the event has been attached.

The report also sheds light on the Basirhat Police's actions during the assault, highlighting their departure from the scene on unmarked motorcycles as the violent episode unfolded, PTI report said. 

Following the incident, the ED filed a formal complaint at Nazat police station. Concurrently, the accused TMC leader's family and the state police have initiated separate legal actions against the central agency.

In a related development, the ED encountered resistance while apprehending another TMC figure, Shankar Adhya, implicated in the alleged ration irregularities on the same evening.

Addressing the situation, West Bengal's Director General of Police (DGP), Rajeev Kumar, pledged stringent action against lawbreakers during his interaction with the media at Sagar Island on Monday. This assurance follows Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose's request for an update from the state administration regarding Sheikh's arrest.

"We remain committed to upholding the law and will act decisively against any infractions," stated Kumar, who assumed the DGP role in the previous month, bringing with him nearly three decades of policing experience, the PTI report said.