In the Sandeshkhali area of North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, a video has surfaced showing Shahjahan Sheikh, accused of sexual violence and land grabbing from several women, in tears. This is the same Shahjahan Sheikh who, when arrested on February 29, strutted into court yet later gestured cryptically to onlookers as he passed by.
The video that has come to light shows Sheikh seated in a police van after leaving court. Outside, a group of family members and supporters, including his young daughter, watch on, prompting tears and an emotional breakdown from Sheikh. This video has gone viral on social media.
BJP's scathing comment
The BJP has taken a swipe at Sheikh's video. Amit Malviya, head of BJP's IT cell, commented, 'The swagger is gone. Mamata Banerjee's poster boy, the rapist Sheikh Shahjahan, is crying like a defenseless child. When the law closes in, no one will come to his rescue—not even Mamata Banerjee herself. She couldn't even save her ministers. Time is ticking.'
Who is Shahjahan Sheikh
Sheikh is known as a powerful and influential leader within the TMC and has previously served as the president of the Sandeshkhali unit. He first came to public attention when an ED team visited him to inquire about the Bengal ration distribution scam on January 5. Sheikh's henchmen attacked the team, and since then, the ED has been issuing summons to Sheikh, who has been at large. After 55 days of evasion, police finally succeeded in arresting him in February of this year.
Following the assault on the ED team, Sandeshkhali was thrust into the spotlight as local women leveled accusations of land grabbing and sexual harassment against Sheikh and his goons. These charges prompted vigorous protests against the Mamata government by left-wing and BJP parties. An order of Section 144 was imposed to prevent opposition leaders from entering Sandeshkhali; however, BJP leaders raised the issue from Bengal to Delhi, putting pressure on the Mamata government to ensure the arrest of all involved in the Sandeshkhali case. When the Kolkata High Court ordered Sheikh's arrest, police took action and detained him.
