TMC's Jahangir Khan arrested near Nepal border on extortion charges days after CM Suvendu Adhikari's warning
Days after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warned Jahangir Khan, police informed that the Trinamool Congress leader has been arrested near the India-Nepal border
Days after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warned Jahangir Khan, police informed that the Trinamool Congress leader has been arrested near the India-Nepal border on "extortion" charges. Jahangir Khan had contested from the Falta seat where irregularities were reported. "[Jahangir] Khan was arrested from the India-Nepal border area in north Bengal," a police officer said. Jahangir Khan had come fourth in the Falta assembly repoll on May 21, after he had announced withdrawal of his candidature days before the contest. Even the party was caught off guard after he announced withdrawal. Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sougata Roy charged at Jahangir Khan, saying he betrayed the party.
He said, “Our candidate [Jahangir Khan] betrayed us. He announced his withdrawal from the election just three days before the campaigning ended. We didn't have the chance to field another candidate until then, so this result came,” he said. Ahead of the repolling, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had warned that he would personally handle his case. Without naming him, Suvendu said, “He [Khan] is designated most notorious criminal and I will personally handle his case. So-called Pushpa is my responsibility now.” The Calcutta High Court had on May 26 vacated an interim protection granted to Jahangir Khan, against whom seven FIRs were registered at Falta police station in South 24 Parganas district.
During the hearing, a vacation bench of Justice Partha Sarathi Sen observed that protection cannot be granted just because there has been a change in political scenario in the state and allegations of political vendetta made by the petitioner. Justice Sen also refused Jahangir Khan's prayer for extension of interim protection from coercive action by police, which was granted by the court on May 18. The court directed that the matter would be heard again before the regular bench after the summer vacation. Two days later, his close aide was arrested in connection with multiple allegations, including extortion, intimidation and assault.
Israfil Chakdar was reportedly absconding since the withdrawal of the TMC candidate. The accused, Israfil Chakdar, chief of Bagnanagar-II gram panchayat, was arrested from Hasimnagar within Falta police station area. “Several complaints had been lodged against the accused, including charges of extortion, threatening locals and assault. Based on the investigation, he was arrested from Hasimnagar,” a police officer said.
The BriefWire