The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids at two premises in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives. The raids were part of the ongoing investigation into the January 5 attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team by a mob allegedly instigated by suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh.
The CBI carried out the raids in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, with the assistance of local police and central forces. According to sources, five teams were involved in the operation, which was triggered by information about the stockpiling of arms and ammunition.
“We have recovered 12 firearms, including foreign-made pistols, during the searches. Additionally, explosives stacked inside boxes were also found,” said a CBI officer, who wished to remain anonymous. Given the presence of potentially hazardous materials, the National Security Guard (NSG) was called in to detect and defuse any explosive items.
The attack on the ED team took place during a raid on Shahjahan’s premises in connection with an alleged ration scam. The CBI is investigating the attack following orders from the Calcutta High Court. During the investigation, the CBI received information that items taken from the ED team and other incriminating evidence might be hidden at the residence of Shahjahan’s associate in Sandeshkhali, prompting the recent raids.
The CBI spokesperson provided details about the recovered items, including foreign-made revolvers, Indian revolvers, Colt official police revolvers, country-made pistols, 120 bullets of 9mm, 50 cartridges of .45 calibre, and other weapons. Incriminating documents related to Shahjahan and items suspected to be country-made bombs were also found.
Shahjahan was arrested by the West Bengal Police on February 29 following the January 5 attack, which involved around 1,000 people and resulted in injuries to three ED officials. The suspended TMC leader had been on the run for nearly two months before his capture and subsequent handover to the CBI.
The ED’s probe into the ration scam alleges that Shahjahan had connections with Jyoti Priya Mallick, the arrested state food minister of Bengal. The scam involves the misappropriation of ration distribution, with estimated proceeds of the crime totaling between Rs.9,000-10,000 crore, with about Rs.2,000 crore suspected of being transferred to Dubai either directly or through Bangladesh.
In response to these developments, the Calcutta High Court ordered the CBI to investigate incidents of sexual assault involving women and cases of land grabbing in Sandeshkhali by Shahjahan and his associates. The CBI registered its first case on Thursday related to these crimes.
These events highlight the ongoing efforts by Indian law enforcement agencies to tackle corruption, violence, and other criminal activities connected to political figures and organized crime.
