Sheikh Shahjahan: Police announced the arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan, the leader of the Trinamool Congress and the primary culprit in the Sandeshkhali case. The leader and his allies are accused of robbing women of their sexuality and stealing land in Sandeshkhali.
55 Days on the Run
A special Bengal police team apprehended Sheikh Shahjahan in the North 24 Parganas district at approximately midnight. He had spent 55 days evading capture. He is currently being held by the police for ten days. Prior to the arrest, the crew had been keeping an eye on the leader’s whereabouts for a few days, according to the authorities.
Three days after the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court issued an order to include Sheikh Shahjahan in the Sandeshkhali case, the arrest has taken place. The Calcutta High Court Justice requested to issue a notice in the case on February 26 and stated, “There is no reason to not arrest him.”
Court’s Firm Stance
“Public notice shall be given in this case. There is no stay order in Sandeshkhali cases. There is no reason to not arrest him,” the Court said. The opposition was accused of taking advantage of the previous “embargo” on his arrest by the ruling Trinamool Congress, which celebrated the arrest and said it was only possible because the court cleared the way.
BJP’s Safe Custody Claim
The BJP declared that he was in the safe custody of West Bengal Police and called the arrest “scripted.” This month, a number of women in Sandeshkhali, in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, have been participating in large-scale protests against Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh. These ladies are demanding justice for what they believe to be crimes committed by the TMC leader.
Accusations Against Strongman Shajahan Sheikh
Strongman Shajahan Sheikh of the Trinamool Congress and his allies have been accused by many women in Sandeshkhali of “land-grab and sexual assault” under duress. The leader, who has been evading capture since January 5, has a history of involvement in multiple criminal cases, including the 2019 murder of three BJP employees.
Sheikh Shahjahan has been charged by the Enforcement Directorate with money laundering related to the land and ration frauds. An FIR was filed against him as a result of claims of violence against West Bengal electricity department staff. After a group of Sheikh Shahjahan’s supporters ambushed an Enforcement Directorate team that was going to Sandeshkhali to carry out raids against him in connection with a corruption investigation, the BJP accused the Mamata Banerjee administration of protecting the man.