Criticising the Mamata Banerjee government”s handling of the situation in Sandeshkhali, the Calcutta High Court delivered a stern rebuke today, asserting that local Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan cannot evade accountability, and the state should not protect him. Responding to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari”s plea to visit Sandeshkhali, Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam acknowledged the grievances voiced by women in the area, instances of alleged land grabbing and said that Shahjahan must surrender and face the law.
Despite multiple cases against him and an attack on ED officials, the Bengal police”s inability to apprehend him is perplexing, the Chief Justice remarked.
The Sandeshkhali turmoil has evolved into a significant political controversy, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attributing the unrest to the BJP, while the BJP and National Commission For Women (NCW) accuse Banerjee”s Trinamool Congress and the state administration of complicity in crimes against women.
At the heart of the matter are allegations of sexual harassment implicating TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan, with numerous women coming forward to share their harrowing experiences. Calls for his immediate arrest have grown louder, echoing the cries for justice from the women affected.
Sheikh has been on the run since January, when an Enforcement Directorate team was attacked during a raid on his residence, linked to an alleged multi-crore ration scam. The probe agency has uncovered a ration scam exceeding Rs 1,000 crore in West Bengal, involving the alleged diversion of commodities meant for distribution through the Public Distribution System (PDS) to the open market.
Who Is Sheikh Shahjahan?
A large number of women have made allegations against Shahjahan and his associates, claiming they forcibly took over vast land areas and engaged in sexual harassment. The recent report by the NCW following a visit to the Sandeshkhali region has exposed alarming levels of organised abuse.
Shahjahan, a prominent leader of the TMC, holds considerable influence across a broad geographical area, extending from Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas to Malancha in South 24 Parganas. He is recognised as one of the party”s key figures in the region, known for his involvement in diverse sectors such as bheris (fisheries), brick kilns, transportation, and vegetable syndicates.
Shahjahan’s journey has been truly remarkable. He started as a driver/helper/conductor and part-time vegetable vendor back in 1999. However, in 2003, he ventured into politics, taking inspiration from his uncle Moslem Sheikh, who was associated with the CPM and later elected as the panchayat pradhan.
Reports suggest that Shahjahan delved into criminal activities, asserting dominance over local water bodies and engaging in illicit land transactions. Over time, he gained prominence in North 24 Parganas. He along with his uncle wielded huge influence in the region, to the extent that despite the Left facing successive electoral setbacks from 2009 onwards, they maintained their grip on power in his part of North 24 Parganas.
The 42-year-old began his political career in 2004 as a union leader representing workers in the brick kilns. Later, he became associated with the local unit of the CPM, where he continued to play an active role despite the evolving political dynamics in West Bengal. Known for his fiery speeches and organisational abilities, Shahjahan drew the attention of TMC leadership in 2012.
Currently serving as the president of the Sandeshkhali TMC unit, Shahjahan formed an alliance with the TMC in 2013, under the leadership of Jyotipriya Mullick, breaking away from his uncle”s association with the CPM. Establishing his own faction within the party, Shahjahan gradually expanded his influence and business ventures, while also taking on various responsibilities within the TMC hierarchy.
In 2018, Shahjahan”s stature grew further when he assumed the role of deputy head of the Sarberia Agarhati gram panchayat. His younger brothers are actively involved in the TMC and oversee his business affairs, which include land deals. Additionally, Shahjahan is regarded as a key figure for conflict resolution in the area, often mediating in family disputes and land disagreements.
Despite his involvement in criminal cases, Shahjahan has played a key role in curbing child trafficking, earning recognition for his efforts in making Sarberia Agarhati gram panchayat a “Child-Friendly Gram Panchayat” in 2019, according to reports.
