‘DGP said can’t arrest Shah Jahan': NCW chief's big claim on Sandeshkhali case

Shah Jahan, known as ‘Bhai’, is on the run after his supporters attacked a team of ED officials who had gone to Sandeshkhali to search his premises

Published on: Feb 20, 2024, 14:33:21 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

National Commission for Women chief Rekha Sharma on Tuesday claimed that the West Bengal director general of police said he cannot arrest local Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shah Jahan as ‘there is nothing against him’.

After meeting state top cop Rajeev Kumar, Sharma told news agency ANI,"It is huge that the DGP met me. I have come to West Bengal for the 8th-9th time, and the DGP never meets.The DGP agreed that the police have lacked... We suggested that all the police officials there (in Sandeshkhali) should be changed. "

However, the women's panel chief claimed that Kumar's attitude changed after 1-2 phone calls. “He cut short the meeting. When we took Shah Jahan's name, he did not like it. He (DGP) asked us how he can arrest Shah Jahan when there is nothing against him. He said that the ED should arrest Shah Jahan, not him. If there is nothing against him, then what will the police investigate,” she said.

ALSO READ: PM Modi to visit Sandeshkhali in Mamata turf Bengal? BJP leader drops big hint

“I think DGP's hands are tied, he cannot do anything. We can imagine the pressure he is in... I think he is serious but how can he work under pressure,” Sharma added.

ALSO READ: ‘Mamata did not meet us’: Sandeshkhali women say ‘risky to live’ in village

Sandeshkhali, a village in North 24 Parganas district, has become the latest flashpoint between the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Several women have accused Sheikh Shah Jahan and his supporters of sexually assaulting women in their TMC office on gunpoint.

ALSO READ: BJP MLAs reach violence-hit Sandeshkhali after police stop them briefly

The NCW chief had visited Sandeshkhali on Monday and met the victims. After the visit, Sharma had called for the resignation of Mamata Banerjee and called for the imposition of President's Rule in the state.

LocaL TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh is on the run following the attack on ED officials in Sandeshkhali.

Shah Jahan, known as ‘Bhai’, is on the run after his supporters attacked a team of Enforcement Directorate officials who had gone to Sandeshkhali to search his premises in the ration scam.

Having started out as a union leader in a brick kiln, Sheikh Shah Jahan had started his political career with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and later joined the TMC after it came to power in Bengal.

(With ANI inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.