'This is not arrest, he is under Bengal govt's protection': Suvendu Adhikari on Sheikh Shahjahan

‘This is not arrest, he is under Bengal govt’s protection’: Suvendu Adhikari on Sheikh Shahjahan

West Bengal LoP and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday claimed that Sandeshkhali accused Shahjahan Sheikh, who has been arrested and sent to a 10-day custody, has been assured by the Mamata Banerjee government that nothing will happen to him.

“This isn’t arrest. He (Sheikh Shahjahan) is under their (Govt) protection. He has been assured by the Mamata govt that nothing will happen to you, you’ll be allowed to use the phone…” Adhikari said.

The BJP leader demanded death penalty for the accused and said that the arrest was made after continuous pressure from all quarters, including public, the court and media

“This has happened (Sheikh Shahjahan’s arrest) because of the continuous pressure from the people, the court, the continuous effort of the media and the fight of the BJP and the mothers of Sandeshkhali… This is the voice of the ‘Devishakti’, the culprit must face harsh punishment, capital punishment should be given,” he said.

Earlier on Thursday morning, the West Bengal police arrested the Sandeshkhali accused from Minakhan area of North 24 Parganas district over accusations of “sexual assault” and land grab.

“Shahjahan was arrested from Minakhan in the North 24 Parganas district,” Minakhan SDPO Aminul Islam Khan said.

After the arrest, he was produced in a local court, which sent him on a 10-day custody. The police had reportedly sought 14 days custody but the court granted 10 days and posted the matter for next hearing on March 10.

Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district has been witnessing widespread protests against TMC strongman Shahjahan Sheikh this month as a section of women were seeking justice against alleged atrocities committed by the TMC leader.

He has been absconding for the last few days after high court ordered police to arrest him.