Kolkata, June 8: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Jahangir Khan was arrested by the West Bengal Police near the India-Nepal border on Monday in connection with an extortion case and several other criminal investigations, officials said.
The arrest marks the end of a prolonged manhunt, as Khan had allegedly been evading law enforcement agencies for several days despite facing multiple criminal cases. Popularly known as “Pushpa” during the West Bengal Assembly elections, Khan was apprehended by the Special Task Force (STF) following a tip-off regarding his whereabouts.
According to police sources, Khan was attempting to flee through the Nepal border when STF personnel intercepted and detained him in North Bengal. He was subsequently brought to Kolkata and is expected to be produced before a court for further questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.
Investigators said Khan had been absconding since several cases were registered against him and his associates. Among the allegations against him are extortion, intimidation, and involvement in EVM tampering in the South 24 Parganas district. Authorities had been closely monitoring his movements before finally tracking him down near the border.
The arrest is being viewed as a significant breakthrough for investigators who had been searching for the influential TMC leader for weeks. Khan has long been considered a prominent political figure in the Falta constituency and was initially nominated by the TMC to contest the recent by-election from the seat.
However, in a surprising move, he withdrew his candidature just 48 hours before polling. Addressing a press conference after his withdrawal, Khan stated that his decision was motivated by his vision for the development of Falta and the special development package announced for the region.
The Falta constituency witnessed heightened political tensions during the recent elections, with allegations of intimidation and violence leading to sharp exchanges between the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP.
Khan has also faced legal scrutiny in the past. In 2019, a case was registered against him, although he subsequently received protection from the Calcutta High Court. His latest arrest is expected to intensify political debate in the state.
