Trinamool Congress Leaders Arrested in Connection with ED Assault Case
Arrests Linked to ED Assault in West Bengal
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Kolkata, May 20: Authorities have detained two prominent female figures from the Trinamool Congress in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, as part of the ongoing investigation into a violent incident involving Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials that took place in 2024.
This development follows an intensified inquiry by law enforcement after a governmental shift in the state.
The arrested individuals include Sabita Roy, the President of Sandeshkhali-I Panchayat Samiti and the Basirhat Organizational District Trinamool President, along with another key party member, Mithu Sardar.
Police reports indicate that these leaders orchestrated the assault on January 5, 2024, outside Sheikh Shahjahan's residence in the Sarberia region of Sandeshkhali. Authorities suspect a larger conspiracy behind the violent attack on ED personnel and Central forces, who were assaulted with sticks and sharp objects.
Investigators have noted that the criminal activities attributed to the detained leaders extend beyond the ED incident. Mithu Sardar, in particular, faces serious accusations related to post-election violence in 2021, including intimidation of opposition party members and property destruction following the election results.
Residents have claimed that these leaders have long wielded significant influence in the area, operating under the protection of Sheikh Shahjahan.
According to police sources, the arrested individuals will be brought before the Basirhat court, where a request for police custody will be submitted. They are believed to have played a crucial role in various incidents, from the 2021 post-poll violence to the recent attack on central agencies in 2024.
It is important to note that on January 5, 2024, an ED team was dispatched to the Agarhati area within Sandeshkhali block I to investigate a ration corruption case linked to Sheikh Shahjahan, a Trinamool leader and Executive Director of North 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad. The ED team was violently confronted by Shahjahan's supporters, resulting in severe injuries. Following this, in February 2024, the region experienced significant protests, with villagers accusing Shahjahan and his associates of land theft and harassment of women. After evading capture for 55 days post-attack, Shahjahan was apprehended on February 29, 2024, while the ED was conducting a search related to the ration scam.