TMC’s Falta Strongman Jahangir Khan Arrested Near Nepal Border

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Falta by-election candidate Jahangir Khan was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of the West Bengal police near the India-Nepal border on Monday.

Police sources said that the TMC strongman is being brought to Kolkata for further legal proceedings.

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The Falta Re-poll

Jahangir Khan was fielded by the TMC in the Falta assembly repoll but he withdrew his candidature on May 19, just two days before polling, citing a special package announced by Chief Minister Adhikari for the constituency.

“I am the son of Falta and I want Falta to be at peace and grow. Our CM Suvendu Adhikari is giving a special package for the development of Falta, which is why I am separating myself from the re-polling of the constituency,” Khan had said while announcing his decision.

The election conducted on May 21 with the results declared on May 24 saw the BJP’s Debangshu Panda winning by a margin of 10,9021 votes.

CPM’s Sambhu Nath Kurmi came a distant second winning only 40,645 votes. Jahangir’s name however featured in the ballot box despite his withdrawal; he came in fourth securing only 7,783 votes.

Calcutta HC Revokes Interim Protection

The Calcutta High Court had revoked the interim protection from arrest granted to Jahangir Khan. It had earlier granted Khan protection from arrest until May 26 ahead of the Falta repoll. However, the summer vacation bench of Justice Partha Sarathi Sen of the Calcutta High Court did not extend his protection later on.