Trinamool Congress’ Sheikh Shahjahan is remanded to 10-day police custody in connection with the Sandeshkhali violence. Despite the court allowing 10 days, lawyer Raja Bhowmick had sought a 14-day custody. Shahjahan, accused of assault on ED officers, is set to appear in court again on March 10.
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KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan has been remanded to a 10-day police custody by Basirhat Court in West Bengal. Shahjahan, accused of the alleged assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers during a raid in January, was arrested by West Bengal police on Thursday morning after evading arrest for over a month.
Lawyer Raja Bhowmick, representing Shahjahan, revealed-
“14-day police custody was demanded, but the court allowed 10-day custody.”
Shahjahan is scheduled to appear in court again on March 10.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose termed Shahjahan’s arrest as an ‘eye-opener,’ stating-
“Today in Bengal, we see the beginning of an end. The arrest of the prime accused in the Sandeshkhali incidents is an eye-opener for everyone. This is only the beginning. We have to put an end to violence in Bengal.”
He emphasized the need for strong action against unchecked ‘Gundaraj’ prevalent in certain areas of Bengal.
Bose further stressed on taking considerate action to prevent such incidents in the future, stating-
“Now, what is required is a considerate action to see that these kinds of things do not happen in the future.”
He urged for a wait for justice in democratic governance and suggested treating Shahjahan’s arrest as an opportunity for gangsters to surrender.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari labeled the arrest as a ‘mutual adjustment,’ asserting-
“Unless the central agencies take him into their custody, the people there won’t get justice.”
The arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan comes after widespread protests in Sandeshkhali against him, with women accusing him and his aides of “land-grab and sexual assault” under coercion. The Calcutta High Court had previously criticized the delay in action against Shahjahan, stating that he should be arrested.
In response to Shahjahan’s arrest, Section 144 has been imposed in Sandeshkhali, including areas near his residence. The move was welcomed by Governor CV Ananda Bose, who expressed optimism for a new era of lawfulness in Bengal.
Meanwhile, TMC leader Santanu Sen highlighted Shahjahan’s arrest as proof of the government following ‘rajdharma,’ while Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee emphasized that the state government was not shielding Shahjahan, citing the arrests of his associates Uttam Sardar and Shibu Hazra.
