The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan was involved in land grabbing, laundering money through his fishery business, and creating an atmosphere of fear in Sandeshkhali.
The accusations presented in court as part of the ED’s case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) claim that Sheikh Shahjahan, along with others, engaged in organised criminal activities, including issuing threats of violence, murder, attempted murder, extortion, and forcibly acquiring public land for illicit financial gains, thereby instilling terror.
According to a report by The Indian Express, Shahjahan operated a fishery company called Sabina in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali. The agency, which questioned the company’s manager, submitted: “In 2019, Shahjahan conducted a meeting in Shahjahan market wherein he threatened all fish vendors in the market to sell fish through his firm only. He also threatened to shut their business if they did not listen. Sabina acquires 50% shrimp directly from fish vendors/ farmers, 10-15% shrimp from his (Shahjahan’s) own farmland, and 35-40% from shrimp farms illegally grabbed from villagers.”
During the February protests in Sandeshkhali, which erupted demanding Shahjahan’s arrest, a big accusation was levelled against him and his supporters for seizing vast expanses of farmland and converting them into fisheries.
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“Shahjahan had a team of persons… who used to sell shrimp to Sabina from land illegally acquired by Shahjahan… In reality, these people do not have any land in their name… Bank accounts of (these persons) were controlled and managed by Shahjahan. He would give directions to these persons for usage of the amount given to them by Sabina. This amount was used by (these persons) for purchase of land in their name on the instructions of Shahjahan, which are in real benami properties,” elaborated the ED regarding the alleged money laundering activities.
The ED also cited a partner from an export company, which had dealings with Shahjahan, as stating that Shahjahan visited their office in 2020-21 expressing an interest in doing business with their firm and selling shrimps through Sabina. They mentioned that business operations commenced in March 2021. However, after some time, Shahjahan visited their office again and informed them that they were required to provide bogus entries.
It was explained that Shahjahan would provide cash, and they were to transfer the same amount through their firm to Sabina, portraying the transactions as genuine shrimp sales. Despite their refusal, threats were made against them and their family. They expressed that there was widespread fear of Shahjahan, and as a father of two daughters, they felt particularly intimidated.
Shahjahan initially gained attention on January 5, when an ED team conducting searches at his residence in Sandeshkhali faced an attack from his supporters. He then evaded authorities for a month. On January 8, numerous female residents of Sandeshkhali protested, demanding his arrest and accusing his associates of sexually harassing women for years.
Under mounting pressure, Shahjahan was eventually arrested on February 29.