Did the CBI Uncover Major Ration Corruption in Sandeshkhali Linked to Sheikh Shahjahan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- CBI investigation intensifies in Sandeshkhali.
- Sheikh Shahjahan faces serious allegations.
- Supporters questioned at bank customer service center.
- Ration corruption and land grabbing are central issues.
- Public protests highlight community unrest.
Kolkata, Oct 23 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) made a visit to the Sandeshkhali region in North 24 Parganas district on Thursday as part of its inquiry into the serious allegations of ration corruption and land grabbing linked to the detained Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan.
Sources indicate that a four-member CBI team arrived in the Dhamakhali area on Thursday.
Supporters of Sheikh Shahjahan were summoned to a state-run bank's customer service center for interrogation. Reports suggest that they underwent extensive questioning throughout the day. CBI officials also engaged with bank employees. It appears that the CBI has ramped up its efforts to investigate the claims of ration corruption and land grabbing against Shahjahan.
Notably, on January 5, 2024, an Enforcement Directorate team was in the Agarhati area within the Sandeshkhali block to probe the ration corruption case.
This operation targeted Sheikh Shahjahan, who serves as the Executive Director of the North 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad. His followers allegedly attacked the ED team, which had begun to unravel a significant scandal in Sandeshkhali.
In February, the region experienced large-scale protests as local villagers accused Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates of land grabbing and sexual harassment against women.
Sheikh, who evaded capture for 55 days following the assault on the ED team while they attempted to search his residence in connection with the ration scam, was ultimately arrested on February 29, 2024.
Subsequently, a court mandated the CBI to take over the investigation of the incident and the ration corruption case. A four-member CBI unit arrived in the Dhamakhali area on Thursday.
CBI officials established a temporary base on the second floor of a state-run bank's customer service center in Dhamakhali. Shahjahan's followers were interrogated there throughout the day, according to CBI sources.
Additionally, bank employees were also questioned by the CBI. The investigators scrutinized Shahjahan's financial transactions within that bank, examining the nature and recipients of these transactions.