Sandeshkhali violence | TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan arrested by West Bengal police

Security personnel deployed during ED officers’ raid at TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh’s home at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district on January 24, 2024. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan was on February 29 arrested by West Bengal police.

Multiple allegations of land grab and sexual assault have been made against the Trinamool leader by villagers at Sandeshkhali.

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The arrest also comes 55 days after a team of Enforcement Directorate officials were attacked during a raid at his residence on January 5 in State’s Sandeshkhali area.

Mr. Shahjahan is likely to be produced before a Court at Basirhat in North 24 Parganas.

Sandeshkhali has been on the boil since the first week of February after allegations of sexual assault on women and land grabs against Trinamool Congress leaders came to the fore.

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Local Trinamool leaders Shiboprasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar have been arrested by the police against whom charges of sexual assault were arrested, but Shahajahan, the alleged mastermind had evaded the security agencies.

Earlier this week, the Calcutta High Court had clarified that there was no stay on the arrest of the Trinamool Congress leader.

Over the past few days, the Trinamool Congress leadership has also said that the party was not backing the accused leader.