The agency officials were conducting searches at the properties of two block-level leaders, Shahjahan Sheikh and Shankar Adhya, along with their family members in North 24 Parganas.

The raid, initiated on Friday morning, was part of the ongoing investigation into the purported scam, which has already led to the arrest of state food minister Jyoti Priya Mallick. As the ED team sought to enter Shahjahan Sheikh’s house, a gathering of hundreds, comprised of both men and women, confronted them with slogans.

The situation escalated as the mob not only attacked the officials but also vandalized their vehicles, as reported . The whereabouts of Sheikh and his family during the raid remain undisclosed .An Enforcement Directorate (ED) team member informed ANI that eight individuals attacked them after they arrived at the spot.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials faced a violent assault, with a vehicle damaged and even the media targeted during a raid. The attack compelled the ED team to abandon the operation in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas, and retreat to Kolkata.

Expressing concern over the deteriorating state of democracy, BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar demanded the declaration of an emergency in West Bengal. Sarkar emphasized the increasing influence of anti-national organizations, highlighting the regular recovery of explosives and firearms.

He insisted that removing the current government and declaring an emergency would restore order and deter such attacks on law enforcement. West Bengal BJP Chief Sukanta Majumdar suggests the assault on ED officials reflects Bengal’s future. He links the incident to the Rohingyas, implying their impact on the state’s law and order.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had issued three notices to Mr. Kejriwal, who is also the AAP’s national convenor. He had previously declined to appear before the ED on two occasions, first on November 2 and later on December 21. In light of his non-compliance, party sources suggested that fresh summons would be issued after examining Kejriwal’s response to the previous notices.

Amidst growing tensions, several AAP leaders, including senior party member and Delhi minister Atishi, took to social media, specifically X, to express concerns about a potential raid at Kejriwal’s residence. Atishi’s tweet indicates potential ED raid at @ArvindKejriwal’s residence tomorrow morning, raising concerns of imminent arrest.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has criticized the Enforcement Directorate (ED), accusing the agency of “maintaining unwarranted secrecy” in connection with the excise policy case. The remarks from Kejriwal come amidst growing tension surrounding the possibility of his arrest.

In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused Kejriwal of evading a probe into the matter. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva stated, “Aam Aadmi Party leaders are making statements suggesting that their Chief Minister may face imminent arrest. They have been accused of involvement in theft and corruption, and now, they are creating a commotion.” The political landscape in Delhi remains charged as these contrasting views emerge on the ongoing investigations.