ED accuses Bengal police of diluting charges against Shahjahan Sheikh

The more serious charges, the ED alleged, were not mentioned in the FIR drawn by the police. The FIR does not mention sections like attempt to murder and causing grievous hurt to public servants, an ED officer said

Sheikh Shahjahan (in purple jacket) with his mentor and jailed minister Jyoti Priya Mallick.: File Photo.

Monalisa Chaudhuri, TT, Calcutta, 09.01.24 :  The Enforcement Directorate on Monday issued a statement saying Bengal police had diluted the charges against Shahjahan Sheikh and that the central agency’s complaint entailed more stringent sections.

The more serious charges, the ED alleged, were not mentioned in the FIR drawn by the police. The FIR does not mention sections like attempt to murder and causing grievous hurt to public servants, an ED officer said.

The statement issued by the central agency on Monday says: “Further during the search at residence and office premises of Sahajahan Shekh... on 05.01.24, ED teams were attacked and accordingly, a complaint was made to jurisdictional Police for registration of FIR for offences under Section 307, 333, 326, 353, 392, 395, 397, 149, 148, 186, 189, 426, 435, 440, 341 & 342 r/w Section 120B, 109 and 115 of IPC, 1860.”

The formal statement adds: “(But) Police registered FIR no. 09 of 2024 at Nazat P.S. for offences i.e. 147, 148, 149, 341, 186, 353, 323, 427, 379, 504, 34 (Mostly bailable and non-scheduled offences). Copy of the FIR has not been shared with this Directorate.”

Bengal director-general of police Rajeev Kumar told reporters on Monday that no one “who has broken the law” would be spared. “We will take strict action against anyone who has broken the law,” he said when asked about Shahjahan Sheikh.

This is the first time a top Bengal police officer has made a public statement about action since Friday’s mob attack on the Enforcement Directorate officials that took place when they tried to raid Trinamul leader Shahjahan’s house in Sandeshkhali block, North 24-Parganas.

The police have registered three cases in connection with the incident. One of the cases is against the Enforcement Directorate itself.

No one had been arrested in any of the three cases till Monday evening.

After the ED alleged dilution of charges, Basirhat superintendent of police Joby Thomas K said the police had registered the cases based only on a preliminary inquiry. “The police register cases after preliminary inquiry and the sections are given as per the offences.”

Thomas denied that the central agency had not been given a copy of the FIR. He said: “A copy of the FIR has already been served on the ED.”

Officials of the central agency said their police complaint mentioned the murderous attack on the ED officials and CRPF personnel who raided Shahjahan’s house, and on the journalists who were tailing the ED team.

An ED statement issued on the day of the attack had said: “As officers with the assistance of CRPF Personnel were trying to pursue to get door opened even by trying to contact the concerned person. His mobile location at that time indicated that he was inside this house.

“Thereafter, ED team was taken by surprise that within half an hour, crowd/ mob of around 800-1000 persons marching towards them with weapons in their hands such as lathis, stones, bricks etc. and gheraoed the ED officials and CRPF personnel.

“Suddenly, they started attacking the ED officials and CRPF personnel and started pelting stones and brick at them and attacked the officers as well as CRPF personnels (27 in Nos in two premises) with stones/ lathis/ hands (using physical force)....

“Further they also attacked the ED vehicles which are badly damaged. ED officials while discharging their duties were badly attacked by crowds (suspected to be instigated by Sahajahan Sheikh and his associates). Three officers have suffered grievous injuries as the mob has marched towards the ED officials with an intention to cause death.”

The Bengal police have started three cases — including one against the ED for alleged house trespass, mischief and criminal intimidation — acting on a complaint lodged by Shahjahan’s family.