NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated raids at several locations in West Bengal as part of its ongoing investigation into the alleged Public Distribution System (PDS) scam involving Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan. These raids come after the ED issued fresh summons to Shahjahan to join the investigation on February 29. Accompanied by central forces, ED officials began the search operation early in the morning. Last month, the federal agency conducted two separate raids at various locations, including Shahjahan’s residence in Sandeshkhali.In a similar operation on January 5, ED officials were attacked while en route to raid Shahjahan and fellow TMC leader Shankar Adhya’s residences in the North 24 Parganas district. Around 200 locals, believed to be supporters of Shahjahan, surrounded the officials and armed paramilitary forces, preventing them from carrying out the raid. Two ED officials were injured during the incident. This incident led to a political blame game, with Bharatiya Janata Party leaders criticising chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s government for the deteriorating law and order situation. TMC, on the other hand, blamed the agency for provoking the locals.Following the incident, the Ministry of Home Affairs requested a detailed report from the West Bengal government regarding the attacks. These fresh raids are part of an investigation into the alleged ration scam in the state, with former food and civil supplies minister Jyotipriya Mallick already in custody. Mallick was arrested in connection with the scam in October 2023 and remains in jail. Shahjahan, however, continues to evade capture, with both state police and central agencies unable to locate him.Recently, the Calcutta High Court has instructed a collaborative Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and West Bengal Police to investigate the assault on ED officials in Sandeshkhali. The SIT, consisting of personnel from both agencies, has been tasked with presenting its findings by February 12, as per the High Court’s directive.
