'He Operates From Jail': Is Shahjahan Still A De-Facto Power In Sandeshkhali?

Last Updated:December 11, 2025, 17:28 IST

Local residents have expressed similar concerns, though most refuse to come on record.

Locals informed News18 that Alim Molla, who, according to Bholanath Ghosh, was driving the lorry, is an aide of Sheikh Shahjahan.

Despite being in prison, questions continue to surface over whether Shahjahan’s influence in Sandeshkhali has diminished. Bhola Ghosh — the prime eyewitness in the CBI case against him — has alleged that the incident involving him on Wednesday was not an accident but an attempted murder.

Police are investigating whether the incident was accidental or targeted. However, what appears clear after nearly one and a half years is that Shahjahan’s grip over Sandeshkhali remains largely unshaken.

Speaking to News18, Bhola Ghosh said: “I am sure it was Alim Mollah who was driving the lorry and that he tried to kill me on Shahjahan’s instructions. You do not know — Shahjahan operates from prison. I am the key witness in the case against him, which is why they want to eliminate me. But they killed my son. What do I do now? Still, I will fight."

Bhola’s family remains in shock. His daughter, Sonali, told News18: “This is not the first time they have intimidated our father. We are certain Shahjahan uses a phone inside prison. We want justice, but he gets full protection."

Bhola and Shahjahan were once business partners. According to Bhola, their relationship deteriorated after 2019, and he alleges that Shahjahan filed a false rape case against him, forcing him to leave his home. Bhola returned only after Shahjahan’s arrest. Because he reportedly knew details of Shahjahan’s activities, he was made a key witness in the CBI investigation.

Local residents, too, expressed similar concerns, though most refused to come on record. One resident, speaking anonymously, told News18: “Alim Mollah and Shahjahan’s aides regularly visit him in jail. He runs everything from there through these men. We have families and children — if we speak openly, we will be killed."

Bhola has named Alim Mollah in his police complaint and filed an FIR against eight individuals allegedly close to Shahjahan. Several photographs also show Alim with Shajahan.

News18 visited Alim Mollah’s residence and spoke to his family members. Alim’s wife, Roshanara, and daughter, Afruza, said that he was at home on Wednesday but fled in the evening after learning that Bhola had named him. They confirmed that Alim had received a CBI notice earlier and claimed the family was being framed due to the upcoming elections.

Afruza said: “My father was at home, but he fled as soon as his name was mentioned. Whatever Bhola is saying is wrong. He had received a CBI notice. My father used to work with Shahjahan. Around 3 pm they said he was involved, but that is not true. He is being questioned in the Shahjahan case as well."

Roshanara added: “I am a TMC panchayat member, and that is why they are doing this. With elections approaching, we are being targeted. The allegations are baseless. He had to leave only because they named him."

The lorry involved in the incident raises further questions.

According to official documents, the vehicle is registered in the name of Abdus Samad Mollah. News18 visited his home, but he was not present. His daughter said her father had sold the lorry a year ago to Nazrul Mollah, though the registration had not been transferred. She claimed to have no knowledge of the vehicle’s current location.

News18 then visited the home of Nazrul Mollah. He, too, was missing. His wife said: “He was with me yesterday but left home later. Earlier he worked as a driver, then bought a lorry — but which one, I don’t know. I have no idea where he has gone since last night."

All three individuals named in connection with the case — Alim, Samad and Nazrul — have left their homes.

More than a year and a half after Sandeshkhali’s women rose against Shajahan, residents say the fear remains. Even with Shahjahan lodged in prison, allegations persist that intimidation, coercion and local networks continue to function in his name. Off the record, several locals told News18 that extortion and related activities are still being carried out under Shahjahan’s authority — and that he continues to exert control over Sandeshkhali.

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