ED files new case against TMC’s Sandeshkhali strongman Shahjahan Sheikh, searches 6 locations linked to him

According to ED sources, searches are being held at six places, including Kolkata, Howrah and North 24 Parganas, at the houses of businessmen and others “close” to Sheikh.

Around 7 am on Friday, ED officials accompanied by central forces began searches at the house of businessman Parthapratim Sengupta in Haldarpara, Howrah. Locals claimed that Sengupta traded in shrimp and fish along with running other businesses. Businessman Arup Som’s house in Vijaygarh in Kolkata is also being searched. ED sources said these traders were in the import-export business and Sheikh was in touch with them.

Sheikh and his close associates have been accused of building fisheries and chicken farms by encroaching upon land in Sandeshkhali and have been accused of not paying villagers for the lease of fish stocks.

Friday’s searches are part of the ED’s investigation into ‘irregularities’ in the import-export business and a fresh Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) has been registered, sources said. Investigators are looking into whether money from the alleged land-grabbing was invested in the import-export business, whether fish and other items were exported illegally etc, sources added.

The house of absconding TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali has been sealed. (Express Photo: Partha Paul)

Sandeshkhali has been witnessing widespread protests against local strongman Sheikh from the beginning of February, with women accusing his close aides Uttam Sardar and Shivprasad Hazra of sexual harassment. The protests have led to the TMC and the BJP taking potshots at each other even as the police are trying to restore peace in the area. While Sardar and Hazra have been arrested, Sheikh is still at large.