A special PMLA court in Kolkata has framed charges against Sheikh Sahajahan, Sheikh Alomgir, Shib Prasad Hazra and Didar Boksh under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in the chargesheet filed by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on May 27, 2024.
The court framed the charges on June 15. It had taken cognizance of the case on June 3, 2024.
ED had initiated the investigation on the basis of multiple FIRS registered under various Sections of IPC 1860 and Arms Act, 1959, against Sheikh Sahajahan and his associates.
The probe revealed that Sheikh Sahajahan, with political support and an army of his goons, reportedly established a reign of terror in Sandeshkhali.
Starting with petty crime, he has gradually expended his criminal empire with use of force and intimidation.
His wealth accumulation involved land grabbing, illegal fish farming /trading, brick kiln grabbing getting contracts through his brother SK Alomgir, Shib Prasad Hazra and others, and collection of illegal levies.
The ill-gotten money garnered by Sheikh Sahajhan was laundered by disguising it as income from fish business and by employing many trusted associates to channelise the money to himself.
During investigations, statements of various persons, including land grab, extortion, murder threat victims have been taken, searches have been conducted under section 17 of PMLA and multiple luxury vehicles have been seized.
Earlier in the case, ED had attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 27 crore which have been confirmed by the Learned Adjudicating Authority.
Further, ED has arrested four persons in the case, namely Sheikh Sahajhan, Sheikh Alomgir (brother of Sheikh Sahajahan), Shib Prasad Hazra (alleged sexual offender and accomplice of SK Sahajahan), Didar Boksh Molla (henchman of Sheikh Sahajhan who reportedly collected illegal levy in Sahajahan market).
All the arrested persons have been denied bail by the special court and presently are in judicial custody.
