In a significant development, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan, accused of torturing villagers in the troubled Sandeshkhali area of West Bengal, was arrested on Thursday. The arrest comes after legal complexities were resolved by the Calcutta High Court, with TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh praising the judiciary’s role. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has labeled the arrest as scripted, claiming Sheikh Shahjahan was already in the “safe custody” of the West Bengal Police.
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Legal Background
Kunal Ghosh emphasized that the arrest became possible only after the Calcutta High Court clarified that there was no stay on Sheikh Shahjahan’s arrest. He accused the opposition of exploiting the initial legal embargo on the arrest and mentioned that TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee had earlier highlighted the court order’s constraints on the West Bengal Police.
Arrest Details
Sheikh Shahjahan, facing allegations of sexual atrocities on women and land grabbing in the Sandeshkhali region, was apprehended on Thursday morning. The arrest took place at a residence in Minakhah, North 24 Parganas district, where he was reportedly hiding. Kunal Ghosh expressed confidence in the West Bengal Police, stating that the arrest was delayed due to legal intricacies but was executed once the court clarified its position.
Political Reactions
While TMC leaders commend the arrest as a result of legal procedures, the BJP dismisses it as a staged event. BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya accused the TMC and state police of shielding culprits, asserting that Sheikh Shahjahan’s arrest was part of a well-scripted story. The political tug-of-war continues amid the Sandeshkhali unrest.
High Court’s Role
The Calcutta High Court played a pivotal role by directing that Sheikh Shahjahan could be arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), or the West Bengal Police. Initially, the court had instructed the police to arrest him, leading to TMC’s assurance that they do not shield culprits, and he would be arrested within seven days.
Sandeshkhali Unrest
The Sandeshkhali area, located on the Sundarbans’ borders, has been witnessing unrest for over a month. Allegations of sexual abuse and land grabbing against Sheikh Shahjahan and his supporters triggered protests. The situation escalated after a mob attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5, with Sheikh Shahjahan evading authorities since then.
The arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan has intensified the political landscape in West Bengal, with the TMC and BJP offering contrasting narratives. The legal developments and controversies surrounding the arrest continue to unfold as the Sandeshkhali area grapples with social unrest and allegations of criminal activities.
Also read: https://newseense.com/dont-lecture-us-bjp-slams-bengal-police-over-khalistani-slur/
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