The Trinamool Congress (TMC) made the decision on Thursday to suspend Sheikh Shahjahan from the party for six years, following his apprehension by the West Bengal Police about the assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali, situated in the North 24 Parganas district, on January 5.
This action was announced by TMC MP Derek O'Brien shortly after Shahjahan's arrest. O'Brien emphasized the party's commitment to accountability, stating, "We have decided to suspend Sheikh Shahjahan from the party for six years. As always, we walk the talk. We have set examples in the past. We are doing so today." Additionally, he challenged the BJP to take similar action against leaders facing corruption allegations and multiple criminal cases.
Shahjahan, who served as the party convenor of the Sandeshkhali assembly constituency and was a member of the TMC-held North 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad, was apprehended on Thursday morning after evading authorities for 55 days. He was subsequently remanded to 10 days in police custody. The 53-year-old TMC leader was located in the Minakhan area of North 24 Parganas, where he was hiding with associates.
Following Shahjahan's detention, it was announced that the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had assumed control of the investigation into the cases filed against him.
Shahjahan's arrest occurred three days after the Calcutta High Court criticized the state police for the delay in taking action against him, explicitly stating that he should be apprehended and indicating no order to delay his arrest.
The case in Sandeshkhali stemmed from numerous allegations of land-grabbing and coerced sexual assault made by numerous women against Shahjahan and his supporters. The area had been fraught with protests for over a month, with women demanding the arrest of Sheikh and his accomplices.
Shahjahan had been missing since January 5 when an ED team en route to raid his residence was attacked by a mob.
The BJP, which had previously accused the West Bengal Police of shielding Shahjahan from arrest, claimed that the Mamata Banerjee government was compelled to act due to sustained pressure from the BJP.
West Bengal's Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari characterized Shahjahan's arrest as a "mutual adjustment," insinuating that he would receive preferential treatment in jail.
