TMC Alleges BJP Conspiracy with CBI and NSG in Sandeshkhali Raid, Moves EC

TMC Alleges BJP Conspiracy with CBI and NSG in Sandeshkhali Raid, Moves EC

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) filed a complaint with the Election Commission on Saturday against the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) raid at two locations linked to an alleged associate of Sandeshkhali accused Shajahan Sheikh, claiming that the agency’s action was intended to tarnish the party’s image ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. In response to the finding of weapons, the party accused the BJP of colliding with the CBI and NSG.

“The electorate in West Bengal was set to vote in three parliamentary constituencies: Darjeeling, Raiganj, and Balurghat. While elections were taking place, the CBI carried out an unethical raid at a vacant spot in Sandeshkhali. According to media sources, the CBI sent more personnel, including the National Security Guard’s explosives squad. It has also been stated that guns and ammunition were discovered at a residence during similar operations,” according to the letter.

The TMC stated that the CBI did not notify the state administration or the police before carrying out the operation. According to the report, the CBI sent along a bomb squad for the operation despite the fact that the state police possessed a fully working bomb disposal unit. The party claimed that the CBI had informed the media about the raid in advance.

“It is even more remarkable to see that media representatives were there during the raid before the state administration arrived. At this point, it was already widely known that firearms had been found during the assault. There is no way to know for definite if these firearms were seized during the search and seizure operation or were placed covertly by the CBI/NSG,” the party claimed. The TMC accused the CBI of aiming to incite “nationwide odium and contempt” against it during the polls. It said that the CBI had “notoriously instrumentalized the media” to create the rumor that the individual was a TMC supporter.

“Today’s actions are another testament to the fact that the BJP has weaponized the central investigating agencies, including the CBI, to, inter alia, carry out a smear campaign against AITC, which would help sway the mindset of the voters in its favor,” the statement stated. The Trinamool Congress said there was a BJP plot behind the raid. It also accused the CBI and the NSG of planting the guns seized during the operation. “It is reiterated that in the absence of any representative of the State Government, the purported recovery of arms and ammunition is possibly a ploy employed by the BJP in conspiracy with the CBI and the NSG to plant such weapons at the site,” the statement said.

Also Read: Kejriwal put his own interests first by not quitting, says Delhi High Court

What had the CBI recovered from the Sandeshkhali raid?

In a statement, the CBI claimed it had discovered three foreign-made revolvers, one foreign-made pistol, one Indian revolver, one Colt official-issue police revolver, one country-made handgun, 120 nine-millimeter bullets, 50 cartridges of.45 caliber, 50 cartridges of.380 caliber, and eight cartridges of.32 caliber. It claimed to have discovered damning documents relating to Sheikh Shahjahan, the suspended TMC leader accused of sexual assault and land grabs.