Sheikh Shahjahan is an Indian politician and businessman who is associated with Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal. On 29 February 2024, the West Bengal Police arrested him for assaulting Enforcement Directorate officials in January 2024.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Sheikh Shahjahan was born in 1971 (age 53 years; as of 2023) in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal. He was born into a poor family. Before becoming a politician, he worked as an agent in the fish market, a trekker driver, a conductor, and a vegetable vendor for some time in Sandeshkhali in West Bengal.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 4″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father, Masibur Mollah, had two wives, one in India and another in Bangladesh. He has two brothers named Sheikh Sirajuddin Akhtar and Sheikh Alamgir.
Sheikh Shahjahan and his brothers (back)
Wife & Children
Sheikh Shahjahan is married and has four children.
Career
Politics
In 2003, Sheikh Shahjahan entered politics. He followed the path of his uncle Moslem Sheikh, who was associated with the CPI(M) as a panchayat pradhan of their village. Soon after joining politics, he quit his driving job and got involved in overseeing local Bheri farming and managing privately owned land.
A young Sheikh Shahjahan
In 2004, Sheikh Shahjahan became the union leader of brick kilns in the Sandeshkhali region. He held this position as the most influential worker until 2010. Later, he became prominent in North 24 Parganas, a district in West Bengal. Despite the Left’s losses since 2009, he and his uncle retained their influence in their part of North 24 Parganas.
Sheikh Shahjahan during a visit to North 24 Parganas
In 2013, he switched parties, two years after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) came to power in Bengal. He realized the importance of aligning with the ruling party to maintain influence.
Sheikh Shahjahan as a leader of TMC
After joining TMC, Shahjahan became close to the politician Jyoti Priya Mallick, who supervised North 24 Parganas. He then joined Trinamool under Mullick’s guidance. Despite his uncle staying with the CPI(M) unit, Shahjahan formed his followers and built his influence.
Sheikh Shahjahan (in purple jacket) with his mentor and minister Jyoti Priya Mallick
According to villagers in the Sandeshkhali region, Shahjahan gradually expanded into the fish trade, controlled fish farms, formed his youth group, stayed connected with local party leaders, and helped during elections.
Sheikh Shahjahan while surveying his fishery business in West Bengal
Later, he was appointed to a permanent committee of North 24 Parganas’s Panchayat Samiti. He was given the fisheries and animal husbandry department of Zilla Parishad. He also served as the Trinamool block president in Sandeshkhali. He then gained recognition by participating in public events like blood donation camps and blanket distributions, and promoting state welfare schemes.
Sheikh Shahjahan during a political convoy to resolve public issues
In 2018, Sheikh Shahjahan became the deputy head of the Sarberia Agarhati gram panchayat. He then served as the party convenor in the 2021 Sandeshkhali elections. Later, he became the president of the Sandeshkhali TMC unit and won a Zilla parishad seat in 2023.
Controversies
Shahjahan’s Cross-Border Escapes
The West Bengal Police often charged him for crossing into Bangladesh to escape police arrest. Reportedly, Shahjahan remained challenging to capture, even when accused of a double murder in 2020 that involved two BJP leaders.
Legal Woes Accumulate
He was charged with 16 land grabbing, 13 murder or attempted murder, five rape, and 17 criminal conspiracy cases from 2020 to 2023.
Illegal Land Acquisition
He is often blamed for acquiring agricultural land and ponds in the Sandeshkhali, Sarberia, and Dhamakhali areas, owned by marginalized and tribal people, with the help of his brothers.
Ration Scam Probe
In January 2024, during a raid at Sheikh’s residence led by ED officials investigating a ration distribution scam, his supporters became violent. They assaulted the ED officials and damaged their vehicles. He was arrested in February 2024.
Criminal Allegations
He often faced charges including extortion, assault, and murder. However, Shahjahan managed to escape police arrest and kept hiding. He was also engaged in illegal cross-border trade. Shahjahan allegedly instilled fear in the people of the Sunderbans region in West Bengal with the help of his brothers. Local women often accused him of socio-economic and sexual exploitation.
A picture of Sheikh Shahjahan and his brothers (back)
Car Collection
Sheikh Shahjahan owns 17 cars.
Sheikh Shahjahan with his Scorpio
Salary
He earns approximately Rs. 19.8 lakh per year.
Assets/Properties
Movable
- Bank deposits: Rs. 1.9 crore
Immovable
- Residential Property: Rs. 1.5 crore
Note: The given estimates of movable and immovable assets are according to the year 2024. It excludes the assets owned by his wife and dependents (minor).
Facts/Trivia
- He is also known by the names Bhai , Matsa Karmadhakshya (in charge of fisheries in West Bengal), and Betaj Badshah.
- While serving as the deputy head of the Sarberia Agarhati gram panchayat, it was honoured with the “Child-Friendly Panchayat Award” in 2019 for reducing school dropout and child marriage rates.
Sheikh Shahjahan during a visit to a local school
- In 2021, he took over a market in Sarberia, renovated it, and renamed it after himself. Shahjahan became well known when he began providing jobs to youths, ensuring women’s and children’s safety, and supporting their livelihoods. He also gave mobiles and bikes to villagers and supported poor families during weddings and funerals.
Sheikh Shahjahan during a political campaign
- During the 2023 village council elections, he submitted a document that did not include information about his education.
Categories: Politics
Source: dienchau2.edu.vn
