FIR Against ED Officers In Bengal: Calcutta High Court Grants Protection Against Coercive Actions, TMC Leader Still On Run

On Thursday (11 January), the Calcutta High Court directed that no coercive actions can be taken against Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers concerning a FIR filed against them post-Sandeshkhali raid according to a report from The New Indian Express.

On 5 January, when three ED officials arrived in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, to search the premises of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shajahan Sheikh, they were injured and their personal belongings such as mobiles, laptops, and wallets were "looted".

The attack took place when they arrived at Sheikh's house for a raid in connection with the alleged ration scam. Both the family of the accused TMC leader and the state police have filed separate complaints against the central probe agency.

The ED counsel submitted before the court that it had learnt that four cases were lodged in connection with the incident.

Justice Jay Sengupta verbally ordered that no action be taken in FIR against ED officials who went to Sandeshkhali to search the premises of Sheikh.

At present, Sheikh is on the run, with the ED issuing a lookout circular against him. This notice alerts all terrestrial, aerial, and maritime ports to prevent his departure from the country.

Also read - After Meeting ED Chief, West Bengal Governor Ananda Bose Summons Senior Government Officers To Brief Him About Ration Scam