TMC Strongman Jahangir Khan Arrested Near India-Nepal Border

• TMC leader Jahangir Khan arrested by West Bengal STF near India-Nepal border
• Calcutta High Court declined to extend his interim protection
• Five police cases reportedly filed against him after election results
• Khan had withdrawn from Falta repoll before BJP’s record victory

GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 8th June: Trinamool Congress strongman Jahangir Khan was arrested by the West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) near the India-Nepal border, more than a month after the party lost power in the state following its 15-year rule.

The arrest came after the Calcutta High Court declined to extend Khan’s interim protection, noting that five police cases had been registered against him after the declaration of election results on May 4.

According to officials, Khan had been under the radar of law enforcement agencies over allegations related to threats and attempts to influence the electoral process.

Known locally for styling himself as “Pushpa” after the popular Telugu action film character, Khan had contested from the Falta Assembly constituency. However, he withdrew from the race just days before a repoll conducted on May 21 following allegations of voting machine tampering.

The BJP went on to secure the constituency by a record margin, further strengthening its majority in the Assembly.

Following his withdrawal from the election, Khan reportedly went incommunicado and shut down his political office, prompting speculation about his whereabouts.

The STF tracked him down near the India-Nepal border and took him into custody. Officials are expected to question him in connection with the cases registered against him.

The arrest marks one of the most high-profile actions involving a Trinamool leader since the party’s defeat in the state elections and is likely to intensify the political confrontation between the BJP and the TMC in West Bengal.

Further investigation into the allegations against Khan is underway.