The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday filed a chargesheet in a Kolkata special court against suspended West Bengal Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh, his brother, and two alleged accomplices in a money laundering case. The prosecution complaint outlines a web of criminal activities allegedly orchestrated by Sheikh, leveraging his political backing and a network of goons to establish a reign of terror and amass illicit proceeds of crime.
Sheikh stands accused of a litany of crimes, including threats, attempted murder, murder, extortion, and land grabbing. The chargesheet paints a grim picture of his modus operandi, involving various means to terrorize the local populace and unlawfully acquire wealth.
Sheikh was arrested by the ED on March 30 in connection with a case of mob assault on the agency’s officials when they went to search his premises in Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas on January 5
Generation of proceeds of crime
The ED’s investigation has uncovered several channels through which Sheikh and his cohorts allegedly generated illicit proceeds of crime:
SK Sabina Fish Supplier: Sheikh allegedly siphoned off funds from SK Sabina Fish Supplier.
SK Sabina Matsya Arot: Illicit proceeds were also generated from this enterprise.
SK Sahajhan Market: Revenue from commission and rent at SK Sahajhan Market contributed to the illicit wealth.
SK ST Brick Field 1 and 2: Brickfields operated by Sheikh yielded substantial proceeds of crime.
Syndication in Government Tenders: Sheikh’s associates, Sk Alomgir and Shib Prasad Hazra, allegedly profited from syndicated government tenders facilitated by Sheikh’s clout.
Illegal Levy and Tax: Sheikh accrued wealth through the collection of illegal levies and taxes on coal supply and land dealings.
Extortion: Cash and valuables were extorted from local villagers to swell the coffers of Sheikh and his associates.
ED action
The ED has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs. 27.08 crore, including vehicles such as Mahindra Thar, Jeep Compass, and Scorpio-N, as well as bank accounts with substantial balances and agricultural lands and commercial buildings.
Following searches in Sandeshkhali and Kolkata, four individuals have been arrested, including Sheikh himself, along with Sk Alomgir, Shib Prasad Hazra, and Didar Boksh Molla.
Statements from nearly 100 individuals, including local farmers, tribals, fish merchants, agents, exporters, landowners, and contractors, have been recorded under Section 50 of PMLA 2002, shedding further light on Sheikh’s alleged illicit activities.
The chargesheet details the methods allegedly employed by Sheikh to launder the proceeds of crime, including the use of dummy merchants, investments in properties, manipulation of bank accounts, and channeling contract money through illegal businesses.
In summary, the prosecution complaint alleges that Sheikh enriched himself at the expense of the impoverished people of Sandeshkhali, exploiting their lands and resources through a combination of intimidation and corruption. The ED’s investigation underscores the importance of holding individuals like Sheikh accountable for their crimes and restoring justice to the victims.
Officials say Sheikh himself purportedly remarked, “Sandeshkhalir nona joley shona foley (gold can be harvested from Sandeshkhali’s brackish waters),” symbolising the exploitation of the area’s resources for personal gains.
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