No Coercive action against ED officers’: Calcutta HC on Sandeshkhali raid

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed that no coercive steps can be taken against Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers in relation to an FIR filed against them following the Sandeshkhali raid.

A bench of Justice Jay Sengupta verbally directed that, in connection with the FIR against ED officials involved in the search of Sheikh’s premises in Sandeshkhali, no coercive actions should be taken. The ED has reported that during an operation at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district on January 5, three of its officers sustained injuries, and their belongings were forcibly taken in an attack.

The assault transpired when the officers were conducting a raid at the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shajahan Sheikh, probing alleged irregularities in the state’s ration system. During the court proceedings, the ED’s legal representative informed the court that they have become aware of four cases registered in connection with the incident. He specified that one case was filed by the ED regarding the attack on its officials, while another was lodged against the ED officers themselves.