Ration scam: TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh skips ER summons for second time

Absconding Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh did not appear before Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials on Wednesday to answer questions about their alleged role in the multi-crore ration distribution scam in the state, an agency official said. Inquiry into the inquiry.

In the evening, Shah Jahan sent his lawyer to the Education Bureau office to seek more time to appear before officials, Shah Jahan said.

The agency, however, did not accept the accused TMC leader’s request and his lawyer was sent back, the official added. This is the second time the Education Bureau has summoned Shah Jahan for questioning in connection with its investigation.

“The TMC leader did not come to our office to inquire. Our officials have been waiting for him to ask a series of questions,” the ED official told PTI.

He said an ED team had been waiting for TMC leaders from Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal at the agency’s office at the CGO complex in Salt Lake area near Kolkata.

ED sources said if the TMC leader, to whom they have issued a lookout notice, does not respond to the summons, then they may seize his properties.

“We have started taking over the properties of Shah Jahan and his family. His house in Sandeshkhali has been sealed. The possession process has started,” he said.

On January 24, the ED sealed Shahjahan’s residence following a raid operation in connection with the scam.

Earlier, on January 5, a team of ED officials was attacked by a mob while trying to enter the TMC leader’s residence in Sandeshkhali.

Three detectives from the agency were injured in the attack.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)