Sheikh Shahjahan, absconding Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, accused of sexual violence and land grab in Sandeshkhali village, was arrested on Thursday morning, police said. He was arrested from a house in Minakhan in North 24 Parganas district where he was hiding, reported PTI quoting police.
Supratim Sarkar, ADG south Bengal, later informed the media that Shahjahan was arrested in connection with the case related to the attack on ED officials.
"Shahjahan was arrested late on Wednesday night from Bamanpukur area at Minakhan in North 24 Parganas. He was arrested in connection with the case related to attack on ED officials on January 5. He was one of the principal accused in the case. Several other cases have been lodged against him after protests broke out in Sandeshkhali earlier this month. Those are being investigated," Sarkar said.
The TMC strongman is in the Basirhat court lockup at present and will be produced before the court later in the day.
“Shajahan Sheikh has been arrested. We welcome the steps of state (West Bengal) police. Our leader Abhishek Banerjee pointed out that due to some parts of the order from the honourable High Court, state police had been restrained from taking any action. After he pointed out the problem, honourable High Court removed the restrictions and the police became free (to take action)," TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said.
Also Read: Sheikh Shahjahan in ‘safe custody’ of police, claims BJP
{{/usCountry}}Also Read: Sheikh Shahjahan in ‘safe custody’ of police, claims BJP
{{/usCountry}}Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district has been witnessing protests over alleged sexual atrocities and land grabbing by some local Trinamool Congress leaders, including Sheikh Shahjahan.
Shahjahan was on the run following the attack on Enforcement Directorate officials in Sandeshkhali last month.
The West Bengal government had been facing the heat as the TMC strongman evaded arrest for weeks.
The situation remained tense in Sandeshkhali as delegations of political parties and members of civil society groups made a beeline to the strife-torn village amid calls for arrest.
Also Read: Land at core of Sandeshkhali’s ire as local islanders rise up
Shahjahan's arrest comes days after the TMC assured that the accused will be arrested very soon. TMC Rajya Sabha MP-elect Sagarika Ghose asserted that the recent arrests of key aides linked to Sheikh Shahjahan demonstrate the government's commitment to upholding the law.
She refuted claims of any shielding or protection, asserting that the TMC and the Bengal Government are actively working to ensure justice prevails.
"No one is being shielded; no one is being protected. No one will escape the law...The TMC and the Bengal Government are on the ground; they are working and there is every reason to believe that Sheikh Shahjahan will be arrested very soon," TMC Rajya Sabha MP-elect Sagarika Ghose told ANI on Tuesday.