Enforcement Directorate among three booked by Bengal police over Sandeshkhali mob violence

One of the other cases is against an 'unknown mob' that had attacked 'government officials' and journalists. The third is against 'Shahjahan Sheikh and associates' in connection with the assault on the central agency officials

Monalisa Chaudhuri, TT, Sandeshkhali,  07.01.24 : Bengal police have registered three cases in connection with the Enforcement Directorate raid in Sandeshkhali on Friday and the mob fury the team faced. One of those cases is against the ED itself.

The police said a case under sections relating to house trespass, mischief and criminal intimidation had been initiated against the ED officials who were part of the raiding team.

One of the other cases is against an “unknown mob” that had attacked “government officials” and journalists.

The third is against “Shahjahan Sheikh and associates” in connection with the assault on the central agency officials.

Shahjahan was “untraceable” till Saturday evening.

All three cases were registered on Friday.

An officer said the case against the ED officials was registered on a complaint from the family of Trinamul Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh, whose house in Sandeshkhali, North 24-Parganas, was raided.

The ED had raided the house in connection with a probe into alleged corruption in ration distribution.

Allegations have emerged that the central team did not have the “necessary documents” to search the house and tried to force its way in.

The police started the case against the unknown persons on their own, even before the ED had lodged a complaint on Friday evening.

Here, the police have invoked penal sections relating to unlawful assembly, rioting, assault on public servants, hurt, mischief and destruction of public property.

The case against Shahjahan Sheikh and associates is based on the ED’s formal complaint, lodged late on Friday night. This invokes sections related to unlawful assembly, rioting, assault on public servants, hurt, theft, mischief and destruction of public property.

The case so far does not include the charge of instigation that the ED had mentioned in its complaint, but the police have the option of adding it after investigations.

The police said they were in the process of identifying those involved in the attack.

“We are also investigating if there was a larger conspiracy and if there was any instigation. Else, how would such a large crowd gather at a point at such short notice?” an officer said.

Joby Thomas K, superintendent of police, Basirhat police directorate, said: “Three cases have been started. The necessary probe has been initiated.”

A team of officers from the Basirhat police directorate visited a Salt Lake hospital on Saturday and recorded the statements of the three ED officials admitted with injuries suffered in Friday’s mob attack.

The police team, led by a deputy superintendent of police, then visited the ED office at the CGO Complex.

Two of the ED officials were discharged from hospital later on Saturday.

A senior officer at the Basirhat police directorate said: “The ED gave a written complaint late at night. By then we had already started a suo motu case (against unknown people, as well as a case against ED on a complaint from Shahjahan’s family).

“So we started a third case based on the ED’s complaint. It accuses Shahjahan Sheikh and his associates of instigating the mob.”

Officers of the central agency and several journalists were beaten up with sticks, rods and bare hands by a violent mob outside Shahjahan’s house when ED officials tried to break open the door that, the central agency said, was locked from inside.

An audio clip circulating on social media on Saturday had a man introducing himself as Shahjahan Sheikh, warning residents of Sandeshkhali against a conspiracy and urging them to support Trinamul.

“This is my request to all sensible people in Sandeshkhali… there is no reason to be scared of the CBI and the ED. You all can understand that this is a political conspiracy. They think they can end Trinamul in Sandeshkhali by crushing me. (But) there are thousands of Sheikh Shahjahans…. Do not be scared,” the male voice says.

“If anyone can prove that I am linked to any crime, I shall behead myself. I request you to have faith and act as the Trinamul Congress’s soldiers. They are doing conspiracies... this will be proved in the long run. Don’t lose faith. Support Mamata Banerjee who is looking after all of us.”

The voice adds: “Please do not worry about me. Just keep supporting Trinamul and Mamata Banerjee.”