‘Unscrupulous raid’: TMC approaches poll panel against CBI a day after cache of arms recovered in Sandeshkhali

Alleging that the raids were meant to “tarnish” TMC’s image during polling in the second phase of the Lok Sabha election, it sought guidelines to ensure that action is not taken against parties by central agencies during polls.

The recoveries made by the CBI following its raids in Sandeshkhali on Friday. (Photo: CBI)

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India against the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly “carrying out an unscrupulous raid” to “tarnish the image” of the party even as polling was underway in the second phase of the Lok Sabha election on Friday. It also sought guidelines to ensure that action is not taken against political parties and personalities by central agencies during elections.

The move comes a day after the CBI recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including foreign-made revolvers and pistols, from a house in Sandeshkhali, which the agency said belonged to an associate of TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan. The CBI called in the bomb disposal squad of the National Security Guard (NSG) to dispose of the cache.

The complaint letter (a copy of which is with The Indian Express) stated, “…though ‘law and order’ is a domain falling completely within the ambit of the State Government, the CBI did not issue an actionable notice to the State Government and/or the police authorities before carrying out such a raid. Further, the State Police has a fully functional bomb disposal squad which could have assisted the entire operation, if the CBI indeed felt that a bomb squad was required during such a raid. However, no such assistance was sought by the CBI…”

“There is no way of knowing with certainty as to whether these weapons were indeed recovered during the search and seizure procedure or whether they were surreptitiously planted by the CBI/NSG…,” the TMC went on to allege.

“Today’s actions are another testament to the fact that the BJP has weaponised Central investigating agencies, including the CBI to, inter alia, carry out a smear campaign against AITC which would help sway the mindset of the voters in its favour. It is reiterated that in the absence of any representative of the State Government, the purported recovery of arms and ammunition is possibly a ploy employed by the BJP in conspiracy with the CBI and the NSG to plant such weapons at the site…” it read.

The letter added, “In such circumstances, you are called upon to forthwith: a. Issue immediate guidelines/framework, whereby, political parties and their functionaries are not taken steps against by any Central investigating agency, including the CBI, during the period of elections; b. Issue immediate directions to the agencies and the media to remove all references to AITC in their reporting…”

According to the CBI, Friday’s seizure included three foreign-made revolvers, one Indian revolver, one Colt official police revolver, one foreign-made pistol, one country-made pistol, 120 nine mm bullets, fifty .45 calibre cartridges, 120 nine mm calibre cartridges, fifty .380 cartridges, and eight .32 cartridges. Besides, many incriminating documents related to Shahjahan were also seized.

Ravik Bhattacharya

Ravik Bhattacharya is a highly experienced and award-winning journalist currently serving as the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ravik possesses deep expertise across a wide range of critical subjects and geographical areas. Experience & Authority Current Role: Chief of Bureau, The Indian Express, Kolkata. Expertise: Extensive reporting across West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Ravik specializes in politics, crime, major incidents and issues, and investigative stories, demonstrating a robust command of complex and sensitive subjects. Experience: His long and distinguished career includes key reporting roles at several prestigious publications, including The Asian Age, The Statesman, The Telegraph, and The Hindustan Times. Ravik's current role marks his second stint with The Indian Express, having previously served as a Principal Correspondent in the Kolkata bureau from 2005 to 2010. Major Award: Ravik's authority and quality of work are substantiated by his winning of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for Political Reporting. Education: His strong academic foundation includes a Bachelor's degree with English Honours from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University, and a PG Diploma in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik Bhattacharya's extensive tenure, specialized beat coverage, and notable award confirm his status as a trusted and authoritative voice in Indian journalism, particularly for stories emanating from Eastern India. ... Read More

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