From Collecting Fares to Power and Wealth, the Rise and Fall of Bengal Strongman Sheikh Shahjahan
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Started out in early 2000s collecting fares from passengers on cars between Sandeshkhali and Sarberia islands
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Rose to power after joining TMC in 2013, backed by leader Jyotipriya Mallick to counter CPM influence
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Amassed huge wealth from brick kilns, fish trade fees, alleged extortion from government schemes
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Accused of land grab by flooding agri land with saline water to convert into fish farms
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On the run since Jan 2019 when mob attacked ED officials raiding his home; accused of rape and extortion