1. Bengal BJP leader Sabyasachi Ghosh was arrested in Howrah on Friday for allegedly operating a prostitution racket.
2. The arrest comes amid escalating tensions between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress over the Sandeshkhali controversy.
3. Multiple women have accused TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates of sexual exploitation in Sandeshkhali, intensifying the political firestorm in West Bengal.
Kolkata, Feb 23: Bengal BJP leader Sabyasachi Ghosh was arrested on Friday for allegedly running a prostitution racket in Howrah, adding fuel to the ongoing political firestorm in West Bengal.
This development unfolded amidst heightened tensions between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the Sandeshkhali controversy, where multiple women have accused TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates of sexual exploitation.
The arrest of Ghosh drew swift condemnation from the TMC, which accused the BJP of harboring criminals and failing to protect women.
The TMC alleged that a prostitution racket, involving minor girls, was being operated in Ghosh’s hotel in Howrah’s Sankrail area. The police arrested 11 individuals and rescued six victims from the premises, according to TMC’s official statement on X.
.@BJP4Bengal leader Sabyasachi Ghosh caught running a PROSTITUTION RACKET of MINOR GIRLS in his hotel in Howrah's Sankrail.
The Police arrested 11 accused & rescued 6 victims from the spot.
THIS IS BJP. They don't protect BETIS, they protect PIMPS!https://t.co/IUxN8iUH7y
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) February 23, 2024
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Meanwhile, a delegation of BJP women activists, led by MP Locket Chatterjee and MLA Agnimitra Paul, faced obstruction from the police while attempting to visit Sandeshkhali to address the ongoing unrest.
They claimed that the state government was trying to conceal the truth by denying them access to the region.
The Sandeshkhali issue gained prominence after several women came forward with allegations of sexual exploitation and land grabbing against TMC leaders, particularly Sheikh Shahjahan.
The situation escalated when Shahjahan went into hiding following an attack on Enforcement Directorate officials who were en route to his residence in January.
Despite the arrest of Shahjahan’s close aides, Shibaprasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar, the controversy continues to simmer, with both the BJP and TMC trading accusations and vying for political advantage amidst the unfolding crisis.
In addition to the political wrangling, the National Human Rights Commission dispatched a team to Sandeshkhali to conduct an on-spot inquiry into the allegations of human rights violations.
The situation remains tense as authorities grapple with addressing the grievances of the affected residents while navigating the complex web of political rivalries in the region.
