The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a case against Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan, a key figure in the Sandeshkhali controversy in West Bengal, on accusations of money laundering. Shahjahan’s request for anticipatory bail was also declined by the ED on the same day.
ED officials launched raids at Shahjahan’s residence and six other locations. Women in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, have charged Shahjahan with engaging in land-grabbing and committing sexual assaults, reportedly using forceful tactics.
In a significant development, the ED opposed an anticipatory bail application from TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh in a court in Kolkata. The agency is investigating Sheikh for a supposed scam in ration distribution in West Bengal, citing his extensive influence. Following the arguments, the judge decided to reserve the judgment on Sheikh’s bail application.
Deputy Solicitor General Dhiraj Trivedi, representing the ED, expressed to the court that granting Sheikh anticipatory bail would adversely affect the ongoing investigation due to his significant influence. He recounted an incident where a large group, estimated to be around a thousand, obstructed ED officials during their search at Sheikh’s Sandeshkhali property last month, in relation to the alleged scam.
The ED’s counsel argued in the Special CBI court, led by Judge Prasanta Mukhopadhyay, against the anticipatory bail. They reported that their officials faced challenges in searching Sheikh’s premises due to the rapid assembly of a mob soon after their arrival.
Sheikh’s legal representation argued that he cannot be considered absconding as his anticipatory bail request is still under consideration in the court. They also stated that the ED failed to present any concrete evidence of money laundering against him.
Shahjahan has been evading the authorities since January 5, when a mob, purportedly associated with him, assaulted ED officials during a search operation linked to a ration scam. This incident escalated tensions and spotlighted the influence of Shahjahan Sheikh and his supporters in the area.
While Shahjahan remains at large, his associates Shibu Hazra and Uttam Sardar have been apprehended by state police. The ED commenced raids early Friday morning at various locations including Howrah, Bijoygarh, and Birati.
An officer explained, “These raids are part of an older case involving fraudulent land acquisition by Shahjahan Sheikh and his associates. We are in pursuit of specific documents.” The ED files an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in such instances, akin to a First Information Report (FIR) in criminal cases.