Sheikh Shahjahan's arrest is just a drama, says BJP's Suvendu Adhikari amid Sandeshkhali stir

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan's arrest is just a drama, said senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on India TV moments after news of his arrest spread on Thursday.

 

"In the last few elections, people of Sandeshkhali were not allowed to cast their votes. Now, with the support of the Election Commission, people of this region will cast votes," said Adhikari underlining the fear of Shahjahan among locals in Sandeshkhali.

 

Shahjahan, the main accused in alleged sexual atrocities on women and land grabbing at Sandeshkhali, was arrested by West Bengal Police this morning from the Sarberia area and now he was kept in a police lock-up in Basirhat, North 24 Parganas district.

 

Aminul Islam Khan SDPO of Minakhan said, "TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested by West Bengal Police from the Minakhan area in North 24 Parganas and taken to Basirhat Court." 

 

 

Shajahan's arrest comes a day after the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed that TMC leader can be arrested by the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or the West Bengal Police. On a request by the state's advocate general, the court clarified its order of February 26 in which it had ordered the arrest of Sheikh by the police authority. A division bench presided by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam clarified that the court in its February 7 order had only stayed the constitution of a joint special investigation team (SIT) of the CBI and West Bengal Police by a single bench to probe an attack on ED officials.

The division bench directed that it will be "open to the CBI or the ED also to arrest" the absconding Shajahan, noting that he has been on the run for a substantial period.

Court allows Adhikari to visit Sandeshkhali

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday allowed senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari to visit Haldarpara in restive Sandeshkhali area on Thursday. The court also stayed imposition of Prohibitory Orders under Section 144 of CrPC at Haldarpara. Justice Kausik Chanda directed that the conditions for visiting the area would be the same as were imposed by the high court for his previous visit to Sandeshkhali on February 20.

In the earlier order, the court had directed Adhikari to file an undertaking before the local police station not to engage in any activities that may lead to deterioration of the law and order situation in the locality during his visit to the restive area.

Justice Chanda also stayed imposition of Prohibitory Orders under Section 144 of CrPC at Haldarpara under Jeliakhali village panchayat on February 26, observing that the sub-divisional magistrate concerned has "mechanically" imposed the prohibitory orders without satisfying himself as to the justification of the same.

Adhikari visited Sandeshkhali village panchayat area on February 20 on an order of the high court. He again approached the court with a prayer to allow him to visit Haldarpara.

(With agencies inputs)

Also read: Sheikh arrested by West Bengal Police amid Sandeshkhali row