Sandeshkhali violence accused Shahjahan Sheikh arrested after 55 days
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Shahjahan Sheikh, a prominent leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and a key figure in the Sandeshkhali region, was apprehended by the West Bengal Police after evading authorities for 55 days.
His arrest comes in connection with cases involving land grabs and sexual harassment, stemming from violent protests that erupted in Sandeshkhali island, North 24 Parganas district.
Sheikh had been on the run since January 5, following an attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials by a mob of his supporters near his residence in Sandeshkhali. The ED officials were conducting investigations related to alleged financial irregularities. The situation escalated, prompting Sheikh to go into hiding.
The arrest unfolded in the early hours of Thursday when the West Bengal Police executed the operation, taking Sheikh into custody from the North 24 Parganas district. Following his apprehension, he was promptly brought to Basirhat court and is currently held in the court's lock-up.
The police asserted that they had been closely monitoring Sheikh's activities for an extended period, leading to a well-coordinated effort to effect his arrest. TMC's National General Saket Gokhale took to social media to react to the development, emphasizing that the arrest was made possible after the Calcutta High Court lifted the stay order, allowing the police to take action.
In response, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh called for the arrest of BJP leader Suvendhu Adhikari, highlighting the need for a fair and comprehensive inquiry into the matter. Ghosh also urged action against other individuals involved in various controversies, emphasizing the party's commitment to justice.
TMC MP Santanu Sen praised the state government for upholding "rajdharma" and taking decisive action against Sheikh. Sen underscored the contrast with BJP-ruled states where leaders accused of crimes allegedly roam freely.
The BJP, on the other hand, linked Sheikh's arrest to the party's persistent agitation and pressure on the government. West Bengal BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar claimed that the BJP's continuous protests compelled the government to act, alleging that the government was initially in denial about the situation.
The Calcutta High Court on Monday dismissed a petition that sought a stay on his arrest. The court had only suspended a single judge's order to constitute a Special Investigation Team to probe the attack on ED officers. During the proceedings, the bench criticized the state government for the delayed arrest, questioning why Sheikh had not been apprehended for over 50 days.