On Friday in Kolkata, the ED (Enforcement Directorate) objected to Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh’s request for anticipatory bail before a local court regarding the agency’s investigation into an alleged ration distribution scandal in West Bengal, asserting that he holds significant influence.
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WEST BENGAL: On February 23 in Kolkata, the ED (Enforcement Directorate) objected to Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh’s application for anticipatory bail before a Kolkata court regarding the agency’s investigation into an alleged ration distribution scandal in West Bengal, asserting his significant influence.
The judge reserved judgment on Sheikh’s anticipatory bail application after both parties concluded their arguments. Deputy Solicitor General Dhiraj Trivedi, representing the agency, emphasized before the court that Sheikh’s influential status could seriously impede the investigation.
He cited an incident from last month when a mob of nearly 1000 people attacked ED officials during a search of Sheikh’s premises in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district.
The ED’s legal representative argued before Special CBI court Judge Prasanta Mukhopadhyay that Sheikh had promptly gathered the mob within 15 minutes of their arrival, preventing the officials from conducting the search. In response, Sheikh’s counsel contended that he should not be labeled as absconding since his anticipatory bail plea was pending and no evidence of money laundering had been presented against him.
During the proceedings, Sheikh’s legal team mentioned that he had not been seen in public since the attack on ED officials and had not responded to the agency’s summons. The defense reiterated that the mob attack resulted in injuries to three officials and the looting of their belongings, compelling them to abandon the search on January 5. Subsequently, ED officials conducted a search operation at Sheikh’s premises on January 24.
On February 12, the Calcutta High Court acknowledged the unrest in Sandeshkhali, attributing it to the events of January 5 when the ED officials were attacked during their attempt to search Sheikh’s premises.
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