Bengal: ED begins raid at TMC leader Sahjahan Sheikh's house at Sandeshkhali

The raid took place exactly 19 days after an ED team and CRPF personnel were roughed up by the followers of the Sandeshkhali strongman, evading arrest, official sources said.

The ED officials took a key repair man, who broke open the collapsible gates early this morning, and entered the house for the search operation at the residence of Sahjahan Sheikh, accused of involvement in the alleged ration (PDS) scam.

The local TMC leader was a close associate of former food minister Jyotipriyo Mallick, who was arrested by the ED.

Sources said the West Bengal Police came to ask the federal agency if it has a search warrant, which was also shown before the searchoperation.

Sources said some 13/14 ED officials have been engaged in the search operation and some one company of CRPF, equipped with combat fatigue was on guard as well as making a root march in the vicinity.

On January 5 when a small ED team went in search operation, the alleged followers of the TMC leader attacked them, who fled for life along with CRPF jawans after abandoning the raid.

Some three officials of the probe agency were injured and their vehicles vandalised by a large group of supporters of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan.

Sources said the ED has also taken two local people as witnesses in the search operation.

The ED has also issued a look-out notice for the TMC's fugitive leader, who allegedly orchestrated the attacks on the central agency and para-military forces.

Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court has set up a joint CBI and West Bengal police team in search of Sahjahan Sheikh.

The ED claimed that the ration scam amounted to over Rs 20,000 crore, and a portion of the ill-gotten money was transferred overseas, including Bangladesh.