Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated interrogation proceedings against suspended TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan in connection with a case involving alleged land grab activities in the Sandeshkhali area of West Bengal. According to ED sources, Shahjahan stands accused of forcefully acquiring multiple parcels of land in the region.

Additionally, the ED has uncovered evidence pointing to illicit financial transactions within the shrimp import and export business sector. Two Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIR) have been filed against Shahjahan, one pertaining to corruption in the public distribution system (PDS) based on a letter by former Bengal food minister Jyotiprioryo Mallik, and the other concerning unlawful dealings in export-import transactions, including allegations of coercive land acquisition.

ED sources confirmed that Shahjahan was interrogated in connection with the latter ECIR, which focuses on the land grab accusations, during a session held on Saturday. Previously, Shahjahan, embroiled in the Sandeshkhali ED assault case, was remanded to judicial custody.

The recent developments follow the Calcutta High Court's directive instructing the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Kolkata Police to transfer custody of Shahjahan to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court, issuing a contempt notice to the CID, criticized the state police for their handling of the matter, alleging evasiveness and non-cooperation.

Shahjahan's apprehension by West Bengal Police on February 29th came after nearly two months of purportedly evading capture. Multiple women from Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district have leveled serious allegations against Shahjahan and his associates, accusing them of land grabbing and sexual assault under coercive circumstances.

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