Sandeshkhali case: ED extends suspended TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh's custody till April 13

A sessions court in Kolkata has extended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh till April 13 in the Sandeshkhali ED assault case. Earlier on Sunday, the probe agency questioned Sheikh regarding his involvement in a land grab case. During the interrogation, the ED uncovered several illegal financial transactions related to the shrimp import and export business. 

Consequently, the ED lodged two Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIR) against him. One of the ECIRs pertains to corruption in the Public Distribution System (PDS), with the information originating



from a letter penned by Jyotiprioryo Mallik, the former Bengal food minister. The other one was filed in regard to unlawful dealings in export-import transactions. This ECIR has allegations of forcible land acquisition. 

Earlier, the suspended TMC leader was sent to judicial custody in the Sandeshkhali Enforcement Directorate assault case. Before that, on the directive of the Calcutta High Court, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Kolkata Police handed custody of Sheikh to the CBI. After allegedly evading capture for nearly two months, the suspended TMC leader was apprehended by the West Bengal Police on February 29.