West Bengal Police on Monday arrested former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Jahangir Khan, weeks after the Calcutta High Court's vacation bench declined to extend his interim protection from arrest in five FIRs. Khan had become a central figure of controversy during the assembly elections after repolling was ordered in the Falta constituency, where he was contesting amid allegations of irregularities.
Court Proceedings and Interim Protection
Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee refused to extend Khan's interim protection and referred the matter to a regular bench for further hearing. Earlier, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya had granted Khan interim protection from arrest until May 26, taking into account the scheduled May 21 repoll in Falta. The state government had approached the court seeking to vacate the interim protection before it expired, but Justice Bhattacharyya declined to intervene.
Allegations and Legal Moves
Khan had moved the Calcutta High Court seeking protection from coercive action by West Bengal Police, alleging that multiple criminal cases were being repeatedly filed against him. His legal troubles intensified after the repoll, which saw a massive turnout and a decisive victory for the BJP.
The 'Pushpa' Remark and Political Fallout
Khan's controversial 'Pushpa' remark came after Uttar Pradesh-cadre IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma, appointed by the Election Commission as a police observer in West Bengal, was likened to the 'Singham' character portrayed by Ajay Devgn in the film franchise. Khan responded by comparing himself to 'Pushpa,' the fictional strongman played by Allu Arjun. This drew sharp criticism from the ruling BJP, with chief minister Suvendu Adhikari warning on May 16: 'He (Khan) is a designated most notorious criminal and I will personally handle his case. So-called Pushpa is my responsibility now.'
Falta Repoll and BJP Victory
In the repoll, BJP candidate Debangshu Panda won Falta by a record margin of 1,09,021 votes, slightly exceeding the one-lakh target set by Adhikari. The BJP secured 71.2% of the vote share in the constituency. The repoll witnessed more than 88% voter turnout amid heavy CAPF deployment. Many voters said they were able to cast their ballots 'without fear' for the first time in years, while TMC flags largely disappeared after Khan withdrew from the contest 48 hours before polling.
Arrest and Aftermath
Khan's arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing political tensions in West Bengal. The former MLA now faces legal proceedings as the regular bench takes up the matter. His detention is seen as a major victory for the state government, which had been pursuing multiple cases against him. The incident has further polarized the political landscape, with TMC accusing the BJP of using state machinery to target opposition leaders.
