Kolkata: Troubles have deepened for Sarika Khan, wife of arrested TMC strongman Jahangir Khan, as police added provisions of the Arms Act and Explosives Act to the case registered against her. The charges stem from violent protests she led outside a police station on Tuesday.
Extensive Raids Underway
Police teams, supervised by the district's new Superintendent of Police, are conducting extensive raids to trace Sarika Khan, who is absconding. Investigators are gathering intelligence from areas including Metiabruz, Budge Budge, and parts of the Kolkata Police jurisdiction. During raids across the district, eight more persons were arrested on Wednesday, bringing the total number of arrests to 16.
Planned Attack on Police Station
According to police sources, the attack on the police station was orchestrated by Jahangir's wife. She was reportedly furious over her husband being publicly paraded with a rope tied around his waist and opposed him being referred to as Pushpa, even though Jahangir himself used that name. A section of police believes Tuesday's violence was not merely aimed at securing Jahangir's release but was a planned assault on police and central paramilitary personnel. Authorities are examining whether weapons and explosive materials were used during the attack.
Chief Minister's Response
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who viewed footage of the violence while attending a program in Kurseong, expressed shock. Within 24 hours, he attended a government program in Falta and issued a stern warning, describing the violence allegedly led by a woman as an unpardonable offence. Addressing the gathering, he instructed Director General of Police Siddhinath Gupta to invoke stringent provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and ensure strict legal action against those involved.
Stringent Legal Provisions Invoked
Following the announcement on Wednesday, police added charges under the Arms Act and Explosives Act against Jahangir's wife. Both laws carry stringent, non-bailable provisions, with punishments ranging from three years' imprisonment to life imprisonment and, in exceptional cases, even the death penalty, depending on the nature and gravity of the offence.
