In the wake of the arrest of Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan by the West Bengal police today, a political storm has erupted with BJP senior leader Amit Malviya questioning the circumstances surrounding the arrest and accusing the state police of shielding him from apprehension.
Malviya, in a post on social media platform X, raised concerns over the nature of Shahjahan’s arrest, likening it to an official escort akin to that of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He alleged that Shahjahan had been under the protection of the West Bengal Police until the Calcutta High Court permitted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take action. Malviya further criticized the hurried proceedings of Shahjahan’s appearance in a local court, suggesting an attempt to preempt involvement from ED and CBI lawyers.
The Enforcement Directorate echoed these sentiments, claiming that Shahjahan, who faces allegations including sexual atrocities and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali village, had maintained contact with the state police. Sources within the ED also questioned the delayed arrest despite Shahjahan being implicated in multiple serious cases, including murder and attacks on government officials.
Shahjahan’s arrest on Thursday morning, following 55 days on the run, culminated in a court in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district remanding him to 10 days of police custody. The state police, responsible for Shahjahan’s apprehension, cited a Calcutta High Court order as justification for their actions. However, the court later clarified that it did not prohibit any law enforcement agency from taking Shahjahan into custody, directing the state police to execute the arrest on Monday.
Reacting to the arrest, West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly protecting Shahjahan, claiming assurances of impunity from the government. Adhikari hailed the arrest as a victory for public pressure, judicial oversight, media scrutiny, and the relentless efforts of the BJP and local activists.
