Who is Sheikh Shahjahan, arrested in Sandeshkhali case? The Trinamool leader's journey from a driver to a strongman
Sandeshkhali, West Bengal authorities arrested Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan on Thursday, following allegations involving 'sexual assault and land appropriation.'. Shahjahan was arrested in Minakhan, North 24 Parganas district, after he had evaded capture by both state and central agencies for over a month. He is slated to appear before the court today. Sandeshkhali, situated in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, has become a focal point for protests against TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh this month, particularly among women seeking redress for purported abuses attributed to him.
Charges against Sheikh Shahjahan
Many women in Sandeshkhali have leveled accusations against Shahjahan Sheikh and his associates, alleging coercion in 'land-grab and sexual assault' incidents. The Sandeshkhali area, nestled on the fringes of the Sundarbans and approximately 100 kilometers from Kolkata, has been roiled by protests for over a month, sparked by allegations of sexual misconduct and land encroachment against local TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his supporters, who have been in hiding since a violent encounter with Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5.
The unrest traces back to allegations against Shahjahan and his backers regarding land seizures and sexual offenses, with the local TMC figure evading law enforcement following the faceoff with Enforcement Directorate officials. The arrest followed a directive from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to include Sheikh Shahjahan in the Sandeshkhali case. Earlier, on February 23, the Directorate of Enforcement conducted raids at several locations in West Bengal, including residences associated with Sheikh Shahjahan, as part of an investigation
