Suspended TMC leader Sheikh ‘arrested’ after ED grilled in jail

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday interrogated suspended Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh at the Basirhat Correctional Home in connection with cases of land grabbing and financial irregularities in Sandeshkhali, an official said.

Sheikh, who is currently in judicial custody, was also “arrested” after he allegedly failed to cooperate with the central agency officials during interrogation.

Even when a person is in pre-trial detention, he can be arrested for a number of other crimes registered elsewhere.

“He did not cooperate when our officers interrogated him in jail this afternoon. Hence, we decided to arrest him,” the officer told PTI.

He was first arrested by the state police in February, then by the CBI earlier this month and by the ED on Saturday.

According to the ED sources, Sheikh played an active role in the multi-crore ration distribution scam and not only siphoned off the money abroad but also used it in fishing businesses in Sandeshkhali.

“He has amassed properties worth over Rs 30 crores and we want to know where this huge amount of money comes from. He did not answer any question today after which we arrested him,” he added.

A team of ED officers interrogated him for over four hours in jail after he was given permission by the Basirhat sub-divisional court in Parganas district of North 24 of West Bengal.

Sheikh was arrested on February 29 after 55 days on the run following violent protests led by women over alleged sexual atrocities and land grabbing.

He went missing after a mob on January 5 attacked an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team that went to search his house in connection with the alleged ration scam.

Sheikh was arrested in connection with the attack on central agency officials.

The Calcutta High Court transferred the assault case to the CBI on March 6.

First print: March 30, 2024 | 11:41 PM IST