‘Pushpa of Falta’, TMC leader Jahangir Khan paraded in shorts after arrest

KOLKATA: Police on Thursday took arrested Trinamool Congress leader Jahangir Khan through parts of Falta in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district as part of an ongoing investigation into a case linked to the 2021 post-poll violence, a senior officer said.

Accompanied by police personnel and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) teams, Khan was brought to Sahararhat and adjoining areas in the afternoon.

Officials said the exercise was aimed at reconstructing events connected to the case.

Khan, dressed in a white T-shirt and Bermuda shorts, was moved through the locality under tight security. While most residents remained quiet, a few were seen recording the scene on their phones.

"The accused was taken to locations connected with the case to help investigators verify facts and gather evidence. He was taken to specific locations relevant to the investigation. Such visits are conducted to reconstruct events, verify statements and identify locations mentioned during questioning. This forms part of the investigation process," the officer told PTI.

Khan, a close aide of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, is currently in five-day police custody after being remanded by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Diamond Harbour.

He was arrested in connection with a case relating to alleged post-poll violence following the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. His custody remand is set to end on June 14.

Locals watched as he was escorted through the area under heavy security, with some stopping to film the proceedings. The operation continued for some time before he was taken away.

"The investigation is at a crucial stage. We are examining all available evidence and following due legal procedure. Further steps will be taken based on the findings," the policeman said.

Police said Khan was arrested from near the India-Nepal border in North Bengal’s Panitanki area on Monday while he was allegedly attempting to flee.

In the recently concluded assembly elections, Khan finished fourth in the Falta assembly repoll held on May 21. He had withdrawn from the contest days before polling.