1. CBI conducts raids in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, seizing arms and ammunition.
2. Recovered items include foreign-made pistols from a house linked to the Trinamool Congress leader.
3. Ongoing searches involve CBI teams digging soil within the premises.
Kolkata, April 26: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali, recovering arms and ammunition, including foreign-made pistols, from a house linked to a local Trinamool Congress leader, Sheikh Shahjahan.
The raids are ongoing, with CBI teams digging soil inside the premises.
In response, the West Bengal government moved the Supreme Court, challenging the Calcutta High Court’s decision to hand over the investigation to the CBI. The Supreme Court is set to hear the matter on April 29.
The CBI’s intervention follows the January 5 attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team by a mob allegedly incited by Sheikh Shahjahan.
The ED team was conducting a raid related to an alleged ration scam. The incident prompted the Calcutta High Court to direct the CBI to investigate various alleged offences in Sandeshkhali, including illegal land acquisitions and violence against women.
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Acting on intelligence about hidden arms in the area, the CBI initiated a search operation, resulting in the recovery of arms and ammunition, including foreign-made pistols.
This development underscores concerns about the law and order situation in Sandeshkhali and allegations of widespread criminal activities.
Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested by the West Bengal Police on February 29 in connection with the attack on the ED team. Following the assault, a deputy director of the ED filed a complaint with the Basirhat superintendent of police.
The deployment of National Security Guard (NSG) commandos in the area underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for enhanced security measures.
The recovery of arms and ammunition raises questions about the proliferation of illegal weapons and the potential for further violence in the region.
As the CBI continues its investigations, the developments in Sandeshkhali highlight broader issues of governance, law enforcement, and political accountability in West Bengal.
