The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday morning carried out searches at multiple places in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali linked with suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Sheikh Shahjahan, say sources.
ED, reportedly, conducted raids on a brick kiln belonging to Sheikh Shahjahan in Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district. The raids are being conducted in connection with a land grab case filed against Sheikh Shahjahan.
ED sources claim that searches took place at three places in Sandeshkhali. A wholesale fish market near Dhamakhali and the house of Nazrul Mollah, one of the partners of the market, are among the places being searched. Properties of a fish exporter and two builders are also being searched.
Today, the ED conducted raids at the residences of two businessmen with "close links" to arrested TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh.
"These two businessmen had helped Sheikh in siphoning money meant for ration distribution, and used the funds in fish trade," the ED official said.
Several teams of the central agency reportedly reached Sandeshkhali. The ED officials are also accompanied by paramilitary personnel. The development comes a week after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials and forensic experts searched sheikh Shahjahan's home and a market he owns in Sandeshkhali on March 8. Shahjahan’s brother Alamgir Sheikh was summoned by the CBI on Wednesday.
Shahjahan Sheikh, who has been accused of sexual violence and land grab in Sandeshkhali village, was arrested on February 29 by the State Police.
He was handed over to the CBI on March 6, as per the orders received from Calcutta high court and in the midst of a raging political row.
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