ED Conducts Raids At TMC Leader Shahjahan's House Days After Attack On Probe Agency Team In West Bengal

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducts raids at the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, early Wednesday in connection to an alleged Public Distribution System (PDS) scam. Shahjahan, presently absconding, faces scrutiny in the ration scam probe.

ED officials, accompanied by central forces, conducted the raids after a previous attempt on January 5 resulted in an attack on the probe team. During the earlier incident, over 200 locals, purportedly TMC supporters, encircled the officials and paramilitary forces, assaulting them while they were on their way to carry out raids at the residence of Sheikh Shahjahan and fellow TMC leader Shankar Adhya at Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas district. The TMC claimed locals were provoked by the central agency.

Following the attack, Governor CV Ananda Bose summoned the state Home Secretary and DGP, and urged to immediate arrest of the absconding TMC leader. Despite several days passing, Shahjahan remains elusive.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has requested a detailed report from the West Bengal government regarding the attacks on ED officials during the raids. The ongoing raids target TMC leaders in connection with the alleged ration scam, with former Food and Civil Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mullick already in custody.

After the earlier attack on the ED team, the BJP criticised the Trinamool Congress for the deteriorating law and order in the state. Congress also targeted TMC over the incident.

“TMC means ‘Talibani Mindset and Culture’ and this has been confirmed by no less than the tallest leader of Congress party in Lok Sabha and in West Bengal – Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury…He has demanded the president’s rule in West Bengal,” Poonawala said after the earlier incident.