2016-Batch IAS Officer Appears Before Enforcement Directorate Over Alleged Sand Mining and Monetary Irregularities in Jhargram
KOLKATA: Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday interrogated Ansar Shaikh regarding an ongoing investigation into alleged unlawful sand mining and transport from riverbeds in Jhargram district and nearby regions of West Bengal.
The 2016-batch IAS officer appeared before ED authorities at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake after receiving the agency’s second summons in the matter.
Probe Connected to Alleged Illegal Sand Excavation
As per sources, the ED investigation concerns alleged large-scale unauthorized extraction of sand from riverbeds during the period when Shaikh served as Additional District Magistrate (ADM) in Jhargram.
The inquiry also includes suspected financial discrepancies and transactions allegedly amounting to several crores of rupees.
Investigators are examining alleged illegal mining operations along the:
Subarnarekha River
Kangsabati River
Dulung River
Officials are reportedly scrutinizing possible violations linked to unauthorized extraction and movement of sand from these river systems.
Currently Serving as ADM in Malda
Shaikh is currently posted as Additional District Magistrate in Malda district.
During his administrative tenure, he has held several roles in the West Bengal cadre, including:
Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Dinhata in Cooch Behar
Officer on Special Duty (OSD), MSME and Textiles Department
Additional District Magistrate in Jhargram
Ansar Shaikh’s Story Attracted Nationwide Attention
Became One of India’s Youngest IAS Officers
Ansar Shaikh had earned national recognition after clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2016 at the age of 21 in his very first attempt, becoming one of the youngest IAS officers in the nation.
Born on June 1, 1994, in Shelgaon village of Maharashtra’s Jalna district, Shaikh belonged to a financially challenged family.
His father worked as an auto-rickshaw driver, while his mother earned a living as a farm labourer.
Family Sacrifices Behind UPSC Achievement
Shaikh’s journey became widely discussed because of the hardships faced by his family during his preparation years.
His younger brother reportedly dropped out of school early and worked at a motor garage to support Ansar’s education and UPSC preparation.
Despite economic hardships, Shaikh performed exceptionally in academics, scoring:
91% in Class X
91% in Class XII
He later completed his graduation in Political Science from Fergusson College in Pune.
Cleared UPSC at 21 in First Attempt
Shaikh secured All India Rank 361 in the 2016 UPSC Civil Services Examination.
He selected Political Science as his optional subject and wrote the UPSC Mains examination and interview in Marathi.
Reports indicate he secured an impressive 199 out of 275 marks in the personality test.
ED Yet to Release Official Statement
The Enforcement Directorate has not yet released any detailed public statement regarding the questioning or the present status of the investigation.
The matter is part of broader scrutiny into alleged illegal mining and financial irregularities in certain parts of West Bengal.