The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) announced the arrest of 10 individuals linked to post-poll violence cases in West Bengal following the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Among the arrested is Kader Molla, a close associate of Sheikh Shahjahan, a suspended Trinamool Congress leader from Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district. Shahjahan, identified as the mastermind behind an attack on Enforcement Directorate officials, is currently in jail.
CBI sources revealed that the arrests are related to the murder of three Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists in the Nazat area of Sandeshkhali on June 8, 2019. The violence erupted during clashes between Trinamool Congress and BJP workers over flag hoisting, leading to the fatal hacking of the victims allegedly orchestrated by Molla and his associates at Shahjahan’s behest.
Initially investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal Police under the previous Trinamool Congress government, the case saw the CID omitting names, including Shahjahan, from its chargesheet. Subsequently, the victims’ families sought a CBI inquiry, accusing the state police of deliberate omissions, prompting the Calcutta High Court to order a CBI probe.
Kader Molla and the other suspects had been evading arrest until now. The recent breakthrough in the case came as the CBI successfully apprehended all 10 accused individuals, including Molla.
