The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids early Thursday morning on a brick kiln owned by suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan in Sandeshkhali, a troubled area in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district. Shahjahan, currently in CBI custody due to his involvement in the attack on a probe agency team in January, is facing scrutiny in a land grab case.
Accompanied by paramilitary personnel, including women jawans, several teams of the Enforcement Directorate arrived in Sandeshkhali at 6:30 am. While one team raided Shahjahan's brick kiln, another team searched the Dhamakhali area in Sandeshkhali. Additionally, raids were conducted at the residence of Trinamool Congress leader Nazrul Mollah in Kolkata, who operates fisheries in Sandeshkhali.
Shahjahan's detention stems from his alleged role in the assault on an Enforcement Directorate team on January 5, when they were attacked by a mob of approximately 1000 people during a search operation at Shahjahan's premises related to an alleged ration distribution scam. A former state minister has been apprehended in connection with the ration case.
Arrested by the West Bengal Police on February 29 after evading authorities for nearly two months, Shahjahan's apprehension came after the Calcutta High Court's directive allowing the CBI, Enforcement Directorate, or police to arrest him.
In Sandeshkhali, numerous women have protested against Shahjahan and his associates, accusing them of land grabbing and coercive sexual assault, triggering a contentious exchange between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP.
The CBI, on Monday, detained three alleged associates of Shahjahan, including his security guard, regarding the January 5 attack. Additionally, the agency summoned nine aides and associates of Shahjahan for interrogation, suspecting their involvement in instigating the assault on Enforcement Directorate officials during the raid on Shahjahan's premises.
