Sandeshkhali: Accused Shajahan held along with aide, suspended from TMC

Basirhat (WB): TMCs strong man Shajahan Sheikh, accused of sexual abuse and land grab in Sandeshkhali, was suspended from his party following his arrest in the early hours of Thursday.

Sheikh was nabbed by the West Bengal police after being on the run for 55 days that witnessed violent protests, sparking a fierce political firestorm.

Sheikh was presented before the Basirhat court, which sanctioned a 10-day remand in police custody.

Additional DirectorGeneral of Police (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar disclosed that Sheikh was apprehended from a residence in Bamanpukur, located in the Minakhan police station jurisdiction, approximately 30 km from the Sandeshkhali island in the outskirts of Sunderbans, in North 24 Parganas district. He was hiding in the company of several associates.

Another team from Basirhat Police District arrested Amir Gazi, another close associate of Sheikh, from a hideout in Rourkela in neighbouring Odisha, a senior police officer said.

Later in the day, TMC spokesperson Derek O'Brien declared the party's decision to suspend Sheikh for six years.

Sheikh, central figure in a significant political controversy, emerged from custody around 10:40 am, escorted by law enforcement officers as he made his way to the courtroom, gesturing towards the assembled media. (PTI)