Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate has begun the auction process for Sheikh Shahjahan's seized assets, linked to serious allegations including sexual harassment and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal.Key Takeaways
- ED initiates auction of Shahjahan's confiscated assets.
- Three luxury SUVs are the first items to be auctioned.
- Market value of the vehicles exceeds Rs 1 crore.
- Shahjahan is a prime suspect in multiple serious cases.
- Further auctions of land and properties will follow.
Kolkata, March 13 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has commenced the auctioning process for the confiscated assets of Sheikh Shahjahan, a suspended leader of the Trinamool Congress and the main suspect in the Sandeshkhali sexual harassment and land grabbing incidents.
The events that unfolded in Sandeshkhali, located in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, caused significant turmoil in the state prior to the Lok Sabha elections last year.
According to sources, ED officials have initiated the auctioning process, starting with three luxury SUVs that are registered under Shahjahan and his family members.
The ED has sought the approval of a special court in Kolkata to proceed with the auction of these three vehicles, which are currently housed at the agency's Central Government Office (CGO) complex in Salt Lake, located on the outskirts of Kolkata.
The total market value of the three vehicles is estimated to exceed Rs 1 crore.
Once the auctioning of these vehicles concludes, sources indicate that a similar procedure for other properties, including land and constructed buildings, will follow.
Among the three vehicles, one is registered in the name of Sheikh Shahjahan, another in the name of his brother Sheikh Alamgir, and the third is linked to a corporate entity indirectly controlled by the Sheikh family.
In addition to illegal land acquisition and the sexual harassment of women, Sheikh Shahjahan is also a key suspect in the attack on ED officials and the accompanying Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel.
The assault occurred when supporters of the Sheikh family and local villagers confronted central agency officials during a raid at Shahjahan's residence on January 5 last year, related to the ration distribution case in West Bengal.
After evading capture for several days, he was eventually apprehended by the West Bengal Police and subsequently transferred to ED officials.
Shahjahan had close ties with former state food and supplies minister Jyotipriya Mallick, who was arrested by the ED in the ration distribution case and is currently out on bail.
