1. Sheikh Shahjahan, a TMC leader accused of sexual violence and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, was arrested Thursday morning after evading authorities for 55 days.
2. The 53-year-old TMC heavyweight was apprehended in the Minakhan area of North 24 Parganas and is expected to appear in court today, according to senior police officer Aminul Islam Khan.
3. Shahjahan’s arrest follows the Calcutta High Court’s directive three days ago, urging the state police to take action against him, stating that “he should be arrested.”
Kolkata, Feb 29: Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, accused of sexual violence and land grabbing in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali, was apprehended on Thursday morning after 55 days of being on the run.
The 53-year-old TMC heavyweight was arrested from the Minakhan area in North 24 Parganas and is scheduled to appear in court today, confirmed senior police officer Aminul Islam Khan.
His apprehension comes following a directive from the Calcutta High Court three days ago, criticizing the delay in action against Shahjahan and ordering his arrest.
Also Read: Calcutta High Court Allows CBI and ED to Arrest TMC Strongman Sheikh Shahjahan
Numerous women in Sandeshkhali had accused Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates of land grabbing and coercive sexual assault, sparking a series of protests in the riverine area over the past month, demanding justice and their arrest.
Reacting to the arrest, West Bengal BJP president Suvendu Adhikari attributed it to sustained pressure from the BJP and the local populace.
He stated that the government, previously in denial, was compelled to act due to the BJP’s agitation and the women’s persistence in Sandeshkhali.
Shahjahan had been evading authorities since January 5, following an alleged attack by a mob associated with him on Enforcement Directorate officials conducting a search related to a scam.
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes received 50 complaints of “sexual abuse and land grab” against Sheikh Shahjahan and his cohorts from tribal families, while state officials reported approximately 1,250 complaints, including 400 related to land disputes.
The High Court is scheduled to hear Shahjahan’s case on March 4.
In its recent directive, the court allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to also arrest him.
However, there were concerns raised by the ED’s counsel about potential dilution of the case if Shahjahan were arrested by the state police.
