TMC Files Complaint With EC Alleging 'BJP Conspired With CBI To Raid Sandeshkhali On Phase 2 Voting Day'

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday filed a complaint with the Election Commission, denouncing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for its recent raids on properties associated with a Sandeshkhali accused, alleging political motives behind the operation. Amid the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, TMC contends that the CBI's actions were orchestrated to tarnish the party's image. The raids occurred while voting in three parliamentary constituencies: Darjeeling, Raiganj, and Balurghat.

TMC's objection revolves around the timing and execution of the raid, asserting that the CBI deliberately targeted an empty location in Sandeshkhali. Media reports indicate the involvement of additional forces, including the bomb squad of the National Security Guard (NSG), and the alleged recovery of weapons during the operation.

"In West Bengal, the electorate was scheduled to vote in three Parliamentary Constituencies, which are, Darjeeling, Raiganj and Balurghat. While elections were going on, the CBI deliberately carried out an unscrupulous raid at an empty location in Sandeshkhali. Media reports suggest that the CBI called in additional forces including the bomb squad of the National Security Guard (NSG). It has also been reported that arms and ammunition have been recovered from a house during such raids," its letter said.

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The party accuses the CBI of failing to notify the state government or local police prior to the raid, highlighting that the state police possessed a fully functional bomb disposal unit. Moreover, TMC alleges that the CBI colluded with BJP, as part of a larger conspiracy against the party.

Accusing the CBI of tipping off the media before the raid commenced, the TMC highlighted the suspicious circumstances surrounding the presence of journalists at the scene prior to the arrival of state authorities. The party expressed doubt regarding the authenticity of the weapons allegedly recovered, insinuating that they may have been planted by the CBI or NSG.

"It is further astonishing to notice that media personnel were already present during such the raid even before the State administration arrived at the spot. At such a point in time, it was already nationwide news that weapons had been recovered during the raid. There is no way of knowing with certainty, as to whether these weapons were indeed recovered during the search and seizure procedure or whether they were surreptitiously planted by the CBI/NSG," the party added.

Earlier on Friday, TMC approached the Supreme Court against CBI raids in Sandeshkhali. Calcutta High Court had ordered a CBI probe into the matter after the Sandeshkhali violence controversy and the subsequent arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan.

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The Central probe agency is currently investigating a mob attack on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) team, which allegedly occurred due to instigation by a local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader. The attack unfolded on January 5 when the ED team went on to raid the properties of Shajahan Sheikh in connection with a ration scam.