Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Jahangir Khan was arrested early this morning by the State Police Special Task Force (STF), according to police sources. Officials said Khan was apprehended near the Nepal border area after remaining absconding for several days. The STF had been tracking his movements based on intelligence inputs before carrying out the operation.
According to police, seven FIRs were registered against Khan at Falta police station in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district.
Calcutta HC withdraws Khan's interim protection
The Calcutta High Court had withdrawn interim protection earlier granted to Khan from any coercive action by the police in a series of criminal cases filed against him. The court had on May 18 allowed Khan relief from coercive steps, but this was later cancelled.
The judges observed that continuing such protection would not be appropriate simply because of a change in the political situation in the state and claims of political vendetta raised by the petitioner.
Khan’s lawyer, Kishore Dutta, argued before the court that several criminal cases were registered against his client after the Assembly election results on May 4. He claimed that these cases were a result of political revenge and said the protection was not only linked to the election process but also to safeguard Khan from alleged harassment.
On the other hand, Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Majumdar opposed the request for extension. He stated that the earlier protection was granted only to enable Khan to take part in the repoll held at Falta on May 21, with results declared on May 24.
Khan's withdrawl from Falta by-poll race
In a major political development in the backdrop of the Falta Assembly repoll in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, Jahangir Khan withdrew his nomination, which came as a big blow to former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
He said the decision to pull out of the race was taken for the welfare of people in Falta.
"I am the son of Falta and I want Falta to remain peaceful and progress. Our Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is giving a special package for the development of Falta, which is why I have decided to step away from the repoll process in the constituency," Khan said.
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