TMC moves ECI over Sandeshkhali raids on polling day

TMC moves ECI over Sandeshkhali raids on polling day
27 Apr 2024

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) against the raids by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, during polling day on April 26.

The party alleged that the agency's actions were intended to tarnish its reputation during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

It also accused the poll body of turning a "blind eye" to the actions of central probe agencies while they continue to "wreak havoc across the nation."

Not informed beforehand: TMC
Legal action

In its letter, the TMC also stated that the CBI did not notify the state government or the police before conducting the operation.

The party said that the CBI brought along a bomb squad despite the fact that the state police had a fully operational bomb disposal unit.

"The entire gamut of the...incidents indicates that the CBI deliberately informed the media well in advance, so that there is nationwide odium and contempt against the AITC and its candidates," it said.

CBI searches lead to discovery of arms, ammunition
Investigation update

On Friday, the CBI carried out raids at two locations in Sandeshkhali, where it seized and recovered several arms and ammunition.

The raids were carried out as part of its investigation into an attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team on January 5 by a mob instigated by suspended TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh.

However, the TMC has questioned whether the seizure was legitimate.

Brand TMC a 'terrorist organization': Adhikari
Political fallout

"There is no way of knowing...whether these weapons were...recovered during the search and seizure procedure or whether they were surreptitiously planted by the CBI/NSG," it said in the letter.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari called for the TMC to be designated a "terrorist organization" and the arrest of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"All the weapons found...are foreign. Explosives like RDX are used in horrific anti-national activities. All these weapons are used by international terrorists," Adhikari said.