Shahjahan Sheikh, an influential and prominent Trinamool Congress politician in Sandeshkhali who had been eluding arrest for the previous fifty-five days, was apprehended by the West Bengal Police early on Thursday morning. A local judge ordered him to be in police detention for ten days.
Following violent demonstrations in Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas district, Sheikh and his associates became major suspects in cases involving land acquisition and sexual assault. He had been missing since January 5, when a crowd of his followers attacked a group of Enforcement Directorate (ED) agents outside his Sandeshkhali home.
While the police had requested extended custody, the court granted it only 10 days. According to the police, “On February 7, 8, and 9, certain incidents occurred in Sandeshkhali. Sheikh Shahjahan is the main accused in the incident involving the assault on ED officials. Subsequently, complaints were filed against him in several other cases in February. The cases registered after February 8 name Sheikh Shahjahan as a defendant, each relating to events that occurred 2-3 years ago.”
Police officials reported, “Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested by the West Bengal Police this morning.” They stated that he was apprehended from the North 24 Parganas district after midnight and was taken to Basirhat court, where he was held in the court’s lock-up.
The police mentioned that a team had been monitoring the activities of the TMC leader for several days leading up to the arrest.
Detailing the arrest process, the police asserted that they had to overcome legal hurdles. “There was a legal obligation to arrest Shahjahan Sheikh. However, the arrest was made only after the court lifted the restraining order,” stated ADG (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar.
He elaborated, “Sheikh was apprehended from the Minakhan police station area under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 147 (rioting) and 148 (armed rioting).”
Addressing reporters, the senior police official urged leaders of opposition parties to refrain from stoking divisions in the Sandeshkhali area. Sarkar also questioned the role of the ED in the case, stating, “Why did the ED not arrest him? We cannot disclose this matter due to ongoing investigations. We will present our findings to the court.”
Response of Politicians
In response to the news, TMC’s National General Secretary Saket Gokhale expressed satisfaction with the arrest on social media. He also highlighted a difference in approach between the TMC and the BJP regarding the handling of accused individuals.
Meanwhile, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh demanded the arrest of BJP leader Suvendhu Adhikari, emphasizing the need for comprehensive action in cases such as the Narada scandal.
TMC MP Santanu Sen praised the state government’s proactive stance in Sheikh’s arrest, citing it as evidence of adherence to governance principles. He also underscored the contrast between the TMC’s approach and that of the BJP.
On the other hand, the BJP attributed the arrest to its sustained pressure on the government regarding the matter.
The Calcutta High Court clarified on Monday that there was no injunction on Sheikh’s arrest, only staying a single judge’s order on February 7 to form a Special Investigation Team to probe allegations of an attack on ED officers at Sheikh’s residence on January 5.
Reacting to the arrest, Governor CV Ananda Bose termed it “light at the end of the tunnel,” expressing hope for a restoration of lawfulness in Bengal.
Earlier, the governor had issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the state government to arrest the TMC leader.
