Kolkata: On January 6th, West Bengal police filed an FIR against officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) who were assaulted during a raid at Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh's residence in North 24 Parganas. The central agency was conducting the raid in connection to an alleged ration distribution scam.

The FIR, lodged under Sections 441, 379, and 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), was based on a complaint by Shahjahan's house caretaker, stating the officials attempted to "break in without a warrant." Simultaneously, the ED filed a complaint via email to the Director General of Police, accusing the attackers of attempted murder under Sections 147, 148, 149, and 353 of the IPC. No arrests have been made in connection with the ED's complaint.

This incident follows a similar one on December 5th when ED officials faced opposition from TMC supporters during the arrest attempt of former Bongaon civic body chairman Shankar Adhya in a food grain scam. While no ED officials were injured, Adhya's supporters encircled them and damaged one of their vehicles.

In response to the recent incident, Union Home Minister Amit Shah requested a report from West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose. The governor summoned the Chief Secretary and DGP at Raj Bhawan, but they did not meet with him.

The ED released a statement asserting that its team, accompanied by CRPF and journalists, was attacked in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district. The agency claimed a violent mob, allegedly instigated by TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, assaulted the ED team with CRPF, leading to injuries to three officials. The mob also stole laptops, mobile phones, wallets, cash, and other belongings.

In a prior incident on October 26th, the ED raided the Kolkata residence of West Bengal Minister Jyoti Priya Mallick in connection to a corruption case related to ration distribution. CM Mamata Banerjee criticized the central agency, accusing the BJP-led government of using such actions as part of a "broader strategy" ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

During the investigation, it was found that Mallick's daughter Priyadarshini deposited Rs 3.37 crores in her bank account after the 2016 demonetization. Although she claimed to have earned it as tuition fees, the ED discovered a deposit of Rs 4.3 crores in the IDBI bank account of Mallick's wife, Mandipa. Mallick was subsequently arrested on charges of laundering Rs 95 crores through shell companies.

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