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Sandeshkhali incident: Arrested TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan sent to 14-day police custody

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 29 Feb 2024, 12:12 pm

Kolkata: Arrested Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, who is accused of land grabbing and sexual abuse by women from West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, was sent to 14-day police custody by the Basirhat court on Thursday.

As per reports, police had asked for 14-day custody of Shahjahan, who was at large for over 50 days.

Shahjahan, who was arrested in the morning, posed confident while he entered the court and flashed victory signs towards the media persons.

Reacting to the arrest, Leader of Opposition and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Suvendu Adhikari alleged police, which knew of Shahjahan's whereabouts, orchestrated an arrest as a mutual adjustment.

"This is not an arrest but a mutual adjustment. Unless the central probe agencies arrest him, people of Sandeshkhali won't get justice," said Adhikari.

Sandeshkhali incident

The turmoil in Sandeshkhali, a remote block about 80 kms from Kolkata and a part of the Basirhat sub-division of North 24 Parganas district, broke out first in early January when a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) reached TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan's residence to quiz him in connection with the ration distribution scam in the state.

Shahjahan's aides allegedly assaulted and chased the ED officers turning the area into a political hotspot months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

While Shahjahan, the Pradhan of Zila Parishad in Sandeshkhali, is now absconding, several women from the village came out with brooms and sticks demanding the arrest of the TMC strongman.

The protesting women have alleged Shahjahan and his aides captured several lands forcefully and sexually harassed them.

Reacting to the allegations, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in the state assembly on Thursday, "By targeting Shahjahan, ED entered into the area and then created a rift between the Adivasis and minorities."

"If there is any genuine complaint, the government will take action. But first, I have to learn what has happened," she added.