Enforcement Directorate (ED) has released a statement on the lethal attack on its team of officials in West Bengal’s Sandesh Khali where they had gone to conduct a raid in connection with money laundering case. According to the statement issued by ED headquarters, “ED initiated investigation in the PDS Scam on the basis of various FIRs registered by West Bengal Police wherein various private persons were allegedly found in unauthorized possession of PDS ration and involved in bogus procurement of paddy. During further investigation it has been found that Proceeds of Crime (PoC) was laundered by Jyoti Priya Mallick through his various close associates including some persons who are primarily engaged in business of FFMC. In respect of three premises, pertaining to Sahajahan Sheikh Convenor of TMC Sandesh Khali, North 24 Parganas, as soon as search team arrived in two premises, in respect of one premises i.e residence of Sahajahan Sheikh, door was locked from inside and he refused to open the door. As officers with the assistance of CRPF Personnel were trying to pursue to get door opened even by trying to contact the concerned person. His mobile location at that time indicated that he was inside this house”
Statement further said, “Thereafter, ED team was taken by surprise that within half an hour, crowd /mob of around 800-1000 persons marching towards them with weapons in their hands such as lathis, stones, bricks etc. and gheraoed the ED officials and CRPF personnel. Suddenly, they started attacking the ED officials and CRPF personnel and started pelting stones and brick at them and attacked the officers as well as CRPF personnels (27 in Nos in two premises) with stones / lathis / hands (using physical force) and also raising/shouting slogans against the ED officers and the Central Government. Further, they also attacked the ED vehicles which are badly damaged. ED officials while discharging their duties were badly attacked by crowds (suspected to be instigated by Sahajahan Sheikh and his associates). Three officers have suffered grievous injuries as the mob has marched towards the ED officials with an intention to cause
Death”
ED also informed that the injured are being treated at the hospital, other officers had to escape from the place of the incident without conducting search to save their lives as the mob became very violent and even chased the officials so as to deter the officials from performing their official duty. The Mob also snatched/robbed/stole the personal/official belongings of the ED officials such as their mobile phones, laptop, cash, wallets, etc. Accordingly, requisite complaint has been made to jurisdictional Police for registration of FIR and necessary action against culprits.