The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a chargesheet against Shahjahan Sheikh, formerly associated with TMC, along with six others regarding the assault on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali on January 5.
![[Sandeshkhali Violence] CBI Files Chargesheet Against Shahjahan Sheikh and Six Others in ED Assault Case](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MicrosoftTeams-image-14-2.png?resize=820%2C614&ssl=1)
NEW DELHI: Today (28th May): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against Shahjahan Sheikh, formerly associated with TMC, along with six others regarding the assault on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali on January 5.
Sheikh, who was removed from TMC, was apprehended by Bengal Police on February 29 after evading capture for 55 days.
His arrest followed violent protests, particularly by women accusing him of sexual harassment and land grabbing. The incident occurred during an ED team’s search of Sheikh’s residence regarding an alleged ration scam.
Taking over the case and custody of Sheikh on March 6, the CBI’s involvement was prompted by a directive from the Calcutta High Court. The FIR, on March 5, lodged by the CBI charged Sheikh under various IPC sections including rioting and criminal intimidation.
READ ALSO: Calcutta High Court Grants Suvendu Adhikari Permission to Visit Sandeshkhali
He stands accused of instigating a mob to attack ED officials. The probe agency reported that three officers sustained severe injuries and required hospitalization after being assaulted by a mob comprising 800-1000 individuals.
Background
The Calcutta High Court initiated a Suo moto matter, emphasizing incidents of rape at gunpoint and tribal land being seized. A division bench, comprising Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya, presided over the hearing. Advocate Priyanka Tibrewal highlighted the lack of confidence among women in approaching the police due to their connections with the accused. The court suggested registering complaints through the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to address this concern.
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.
READ ALSO: [Breaking] Sandeshkhali Violence Case || Calcutta HC Directs CBI Probe
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.
