‘It was Alim Molla’...: Did TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan plot the murder of Sandeshkali rape case witness from prison?

In a shocking incident, a key witness in the Sandeshkali rape and land-grab case was  involved in a road accident that killed his son and the driver of the vehicle he was  travelling. The incident that occurred when the witness, Bholanath Ghosh, was on his  way to testify in court in the land-grab case against TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan has triggered allegations that the vehicle was intentionally targeted.  

Ghosh, who lost his son in the accident, survived with injuries to his face and neck. The accident reportedly occurred at a spot on Basanti Highway that is not covered by any CCTV visuals.

Meanwhile, Ghosh has raised allegations that the accident was plotted by Sheikh Shahjahan from prison.

The 45-year-old Shahjahan is in prison after being arrested on February 29, after 55 days on the run following violent protests led by women, alleging sexual atrocities and land grab. He is said to be close to TMC, and the party faced allegations that it was protecting Shahjahan. A month earlier, an ED team had gone to Sandeshkhali to raid the home of Shahjahan in  connection with the ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in the state’s public distribution system. However, a mob of over 800 people, all supporters of Shahjahan, attacked the ED team.

According to Ghosh, he recognised the driver of the vehicle as Alim Mollah, a close aide of Sheikh Shahjahan. “I was a key witness in this murder case; therefore, they have planned to kill me. A lorry cannot come in that way at that speed. I will file a complaint today. I have lost my son. I am sure that Shajahan is behind this. I know the driver, and I am sure," he told News 18.

Ghosh further accused that after hitting his car, Alim fled on a bike. Alim Mollah is still absconding and cannot be found even after 24 hours.  "I am 100 per cent sure. Alim was in the car. I saw him wearing a black jacket and driving," he said.  

According to reports, Alim Mollah is one of the accused in the case related to the attack on ED officers last year.

Meanwhile, Alim Mollah’s wife told reporters that he has a nerve disorder and cannot drive a 16-wheeler. She added that Mollah was at home until 10 am. “Later, he went to work in the field. There, he received a call and heard about the incident. He went to someone's house to have tea. He has not returned home since then. There is evidence that he sat and had tea  at someone's house," his wife said.

On why Alim Mollah ran away, his wife said he did so after he received a CBI notice in  advance. “He cannot walk without medicine from the doctor. The ligaments in his leg are torn. He has never driven a 16-wheeler. This is being said to frame him,” she added.