Humayun Kabir appears before police again in ‘Satabhanga’ remark case
Humayun Kabir has been under the scanner since the provocative speech, in which he allegedly made inflammatory remarks targeting the BJP.
Amid investigation into Am Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) leader Humayun Kabir’s alleged inflammatory speech in Murshidabad, the police have arrested the Naoda MLA’s close associate Selim Sheikh on Sunday.
Selim Sheikh, an AJUP leader, was arrested during a late-night raid at his residence in Nabagram under Shaktipur police station limits.
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He was produced before the Berhampore district court on Sunday, with police seeking his custodial interrogation.
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According to police, Sheikh was present at the public meeting in Shaktipur where Kabir allegedly made provocative remarks that triggered a political storm and led to the registration of a criminal case.
The controversy dates back to a public rally at Kashipur in the Rejinagar area, where Kabir allegedly warned BJP leaders against “showing arrogance” despite the party’s electoral performance in Murshidabad.
During the speech, he allegedly said that if he mobilised Muslims and launched an assault, his political opponents would “find no escape route.”
The remarks drew sharp criticism from the BJP, which accused the MLA of attempting to incite communal tensions.
The issue also reached the Assembly, where Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari warned that no individual would be allowed to make inflammatory statements capable of disturbing communal harmony.
Soon afterwards, a formal police complaint was lodged, leading to the registration of a case and the launch of an investigation.
Police had earlier arrested three organisers of the controversial meeting.
Investigators also summoned Humayun Kabir on multiple occasions and questioned him for several hours over the contents of his speech and the circumstances surrounding the rally.
Officers also visited the MLA’s residence as part of the probe.
The arrest of Selim Sheikh is being seen as the latest development in the investigation, with police attempting to establish the role of those involved in organising and attending the meeting.
Humayun Kabir had not issued any public statement on Sheikh’s arrest till Sunday afternoon. Police said the investigation is continuing and that further action would depend on the evidence gathered during the probe.
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