ED initiated the investigation on the basis of 13 FIRs registered by West Bengal Police under various sections of IPC Act, 1860 and Arms Act, 1959 against Sheikh Sahajahan and others on the allegations that they have created an atmosphere of terror by indulging in organized crime of giving threats of injury, murder, attempt to murder, extortion etc. and also grabbed land of the general public and obtained illegal monetary benefits.
ED investigation revealed that Sk Sahajahan had created a criminal empire revolving around land grabbing, illegal fish farming, trading, grabbing brick fields, cartelization of contracts, collection of illegal taxes, levies, commission on land deals etc.
During the investigation by ED, statements of various persons including local farmers, tribals, fish merchants, agents, exporters, landowners, and contractors have been recorded under Section 50 of PMLA 2002.
Also, searches were conducted under section 17 of PMLA wherein 3 cars belonging to to SK Sahajahan, and his brother Sk Alomgir were seized.
Earlier, ED had attached movable and immovable properties of SK Sahajhan and others of value Rs. 27.08 Crore vide two Provisional Attachment Orders dated 05/03/2024 and 16/05/2024. Out of the proceeds of crime of value Rs. 261.41 crore derived and obtained by said persons from criminal activities, as revealed during the course of investigation conducted under PMLA, 2002.
Four persons namely Sk Sahajhan, his brother Sk Alomgir and his two accomplices Shib Prasad Hazra and Didar Boksh Molla were arrested by ED and all four persons are presently in judicial custody. Subsequent to the arrests, ED has filed the present PC. (ANI)