Known to local residents as “Betaj Badshah”, Sheikh Shahjahan is an influential person in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali, a border area in the North 24 Parganas district. This is the answer you will get if you ask about the Trinamool Congress leader in this village. His backers attacked ED and CAPF personnel on Friday, during an attempt to raid his house in connection with the ration scam.
Born into an extremely poor family, local residents said his name is now a force to reckon with in Sandeshkhali. While Shahjahan holds the post of zilla parishad in this area, his career started with the Left regime in 2006. He began as a close aide of CPI(M) leader Moslem Sheikh, on whose behalf he would collect money. He gradually began to dabble in real estate and fisheries in this area.
In 2011, when the regime change took place in the state, Shahjahan was still batting for the Left. But, in 2013, he joined the Trinamool Congress and, since, has become close to former minister Jyotipriyo Mallick.
In 2019, three people were killed in a BJP-TMC clash. Though his name was linked to the incident, Shahjahan said it was only to malign his image.
Local residents said he has been involved in various illegal activities since 2006 but because he has always placed himself close to powerful people, no one has been able to pinpoint any blame on him. Sources alleged that he helped rig the elections in the area and, therefore, was important to the political party in power.
Why did the ED come knocking?
Shahjahan was close to Mallick, who is now in ED custody. Sources in the agency said the ration scam is a big offence and Shahjahan could be involved in it, so they went to him.
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