Kolkata, 11 December (H.S.) :

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday submitted a detailed status report before the Calcutta High Court, outlining close to 3,000 individual complaints registered against suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan of Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas.

According to the report, the most serious allegations relate to the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel during an attempted raid at Shahjahan’s residence last year. The officials were allegedly assaulted by his associates when the ED team reached the spot for investigation linked to the multi-crore PDS scam in West Bengal.

The agency informed the court that the remaining complaints include accusations of forceful land grabbing in Sandeshkhali, illegal conversion of agricultural plots into pisciculture farms by pumping saline water, and sexual exploitation of local women. The CBI has also submitted evidence it claims substantiates the charges in several cases, along with details of Shahjahan’s close aides who were purportedly involved in the illegal operations.

The matter resurfaced this week after a key witness in the Sandeshkhali case, Bhola Ghosh, survived a road accident on Basanti Highway on Wednesday. His son Satyajit Ghosh, who was accompanying him to court to record his statement, died in the collision. The car’s driver, Shahnur Molla, was also killed. The family has alleged that the incident was not an ordinary accident but part of a deeper conspiracy.

Sheikh Shahjahan remains in judicial custody in connection with multiple cases.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh