Speaking to mediapersons a day after West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose sought a report from the TMC government over the attack on ED officials in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas and pulled up the police for failing to arrest Shahjahan, Mahato said: “He (Shahjahan) has gone nowhere. He is present in the area (Sandeshkhali) and will soon make an appearance. He has already given an audio message to the people of Sandeshkhali.”
Shahjahan is TMC Block president and a Zila Parishad member in North 24 Parganas district.
“As far as I know, his lawyers went to the ED office yesterday (Sunday), but the officers did not meet them. His lawyers will again visit tomorrow (Tuesday). Shahjahan is ready to cooperate with the investigation agency if ED wants. At present, the situation is not good for him. What happened that day was unwanted, and some angry people did that,” Mahato said, referring to the January 4 incident when ED officials and Central forces came under attack from a mob while they were raiding Shahjahan’s residence at Akunjipara in connection with the alleged ration scam. Three ED officers were injured in the attack.
“It is for the administration to decide on arresting him (Shahjahan). However, he was not present at his home when the ED team conducted raids. Therefore, there is no question of arresting him,” Mahato added.
Meanwhile, Shahjahan’s brother Sheikh Alamgir said that he was now aware of his whereabouts. “I am not aware of Shahjahan’s whereabouts. He left the day ED raided the home. He has left his phone at home,” Alamgir added.
Till date, police have not arrested anyone in connection with the attack on ED officials. On Sunday, Governor Bose sought a report from the state government and asked why Sheikh Sahajahan had not been arrested.
“The Honourable Governor has asked the state government to report on the action taken in the ration scam; explain why the accused, Sheikh Shahjahan, has not been arrested so far; clarify whether he is in India or has crossed the border; fix responsibility for the failure of the law and order machinery; and fix responsibility and punish police officers who failed in performing their duties,” a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan said.
BOX: Will take charge of Shahjahan’s portfolio: Zila Parishad chief
Kolkata: Narayan Goswami, the chairperson of North 24 Parganas Zila Parishad, on Monday said that he will take charge of the portfolio of animal husbandry and fisheries department which was held by Sheikh Shahjahan, the main accused in the January 4 attack on ED officials.
“Whenever elections come, such things happen. However, in my personal opinion, everyone should cooperate with the investigating agencies, be it of the state or the Centre. Since Sheikh Shahjahan is absconding, I will look after his department. I do not want people to suffer,” said Goswami.
TMC Block president Shahjahan is a Zila Parishad member in North 24 Parganas district.