Sandeshkhali Highlights|TMC is confused, Sheikh arrested only because of our agitation: BJP chief Majumdar

"Despite multiple protests across the nation, the Modi Govt NEVER arrested Brij Bhushan Sharan. In fact, he even continues to be a Lok Sabha MP of the BJP despite all his crimes," Saket Gokhale said, highlighting differences between TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and PM Modi

Absconding Trinamool Congress leader and strongman Sheikh Shajahan has been arrested.

The police apprehended him reportedly from the Minakhan area in West Bengal. He has been accused in sexual violence cases registered against him by several women residing in Sandeshkhali

"Due to the continuous agitation by BJP, this government was compelled to arrest Sheikh Shahjahan", BJP's state president Suvendhu Adhikari reacts to the arrest, takes credit for sustained agitations

"Due to the continuous agitation by the BJP, this government was compelled to arrest Sheikh Shahjahan. The government was in denial mode. They were not even accepting that anything as such had happened. I had already said that we would compel the government to arrest Sheikh Shahjahan. Today, due to the agitation of the BJP and the women of Sandeshkhali, government and Mamata Banerjee are compelled to arrest Sheikh Shahjahan."

We follows 'rajdharma' in an administrative manner: TMC MP Santanu Sen

"We had taken action against Partha Chatterjee and Jyotipriya Mallick, and similarly, we have taken action against Shibu Hazra and Uttam Sardar and now Sheikh Shahjahan has been arrested. Abhishek Banerjee had said that the Police were unable to arrest him due to the court's stay order. He has been arrested within 3-4 days of the removal of the stay order. On one side, accused leaders openly move in BJP-ruled states and on the other side our administration doesn't spare accused TMC leaders if there is evidence against them. BJP should learn 'rajdharma' from the TMC."

What were National Commission for Scheduled Tribes' observations in the case?

TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates, accused of land grab and sexual assault under coercion in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, would forcibly take MNREGA wages from poor tribal families and torture them for voting against the party.

Complainants told a three-member NCST team, led by its Vice-Chairperson Ananta Nayak, that the West Bengal Police allegedly "protected" Shahjahan and his accomplices.

the panel has received more than 50 complaints of sexual harassment of tribal women and land grab by Shahjahan and his associates.

A couple of days back, the High Court made it amply clear that there is no bar on arrest. Following that instruction, over the last 2 days we had been holding raids and last night - on the basis of secret source information - we arrested Sheikh Shahjahan and he has been forwarded to court: ADG (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar

Party of the scoundrels and criminals - the TMC - will face the consequences, says West Bengal BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh

"To keep Sheikh Shahjahan in their safe custody, the State Police already arrested him and we hope that the truth of Sandeshkhali will come out through different kinds of agencies as well as court intervention," he added.

Shahjahan has been arrested only as a cosmetic measure, it is nothing but eyewash, claims BJP's national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla

"What is the TMC govt and Police gloating about...Shahjahan has been arrested only as a cosmetic measure, it is nothing but eyewash. It only happened when BJP took up the issue of Sandeshkhali, was on the streets and even Courts were forced and constrained to come down heavily on the TMC govt and on the action of Police. That is when Shahjahan, who was on state protection has now been shown as arrested...TMC knew where he was and gave him protection. In the Assembly Mamata Banerjee defended him, outside Abhishek Banerjee defended him..."

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla

"I told you there will be light at the end of the tunnel. That is democracy," West Bengal Governor reacts to arrest

"Punishment should be announced in a fast-track court. A punishment should also be announced by the public for BJP to not see the issues of crimes against the women through their political glasses" Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput said.

Arrested TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan to be presented before Basirhat Court today, here's visuals from the court

Security is also tightened at Basirhat Sub-Divisional Court, North 24 Pargana.

Arrested TMC leader Sheikh Shajahan produced before Basirhat court

TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh sent to 10 days in police custody by Basirhat court

Sheikh Shahjahan's lawyer informed the media that on 10th March, Shahjahan will be produced in court again. He also said that police had sought 14 days custody, but the court gave only 10.

"Victory of democracy," exclaims LoP Suvendu Adhikari as he is on the way towards Sandeshkhali

West Bengal Police barricades Rampur in North 24 Parganas. Some reports are also claiming that section 144 has been imposed in various parts of Sandeshkhali.

"Highly condemnable. A proper investigation is required. Stringent action should be taken against the culprit," Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai reacts on Shahjahan's arrest

West Bengal CID takes over investigation into cases lodged against TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh

TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan, who has been remanded to 10-day police custody, brought to West Bengal Police Directorate, Bhabani Bhawan in Kolkata

'This isn't arrest, he's under govt protection': LoP Suvendhu Adhikari says on Shahjahan's arrest

"This isn't arrest. He (Sheikh Shahjahan) is under their (Govt) protection. He has been assured by the Mamata govt that nothing will happen to you, you'll be allowed to use the phone... This has happened (Sheikh Shahjahan's arrest) because of the continuous pressure from the people, the court, the continuous effort of the media and the fight of the BJP and the mothers of Sandeshkhali... This is the voice of the 'Devishakti', the culprit must face harsh punishment, capital punishment should be given," he said.

LoP Suvendu Adhikari says Shahjahan is in 5-star custody, will be served prawns in morning and mutton in the evening

He further said that there will be a public meeting on 10th, wherein all the women who fought at forefront will be facilitated by the BJP. He also demanded that the case be transferred to CBI.

Calcutta HC to hear PIL seeking transfer of Sandeshkhali probe to CBI on Monday

Reeling from unrest, TMC leader Derek O'Brien in Kolkata announces Sheikh Shahjahan's suspension from the party for six years

Derek O'Bireien said only West Bengal police's efforts arrested Shiekh Shahjahan, asking, "why didn't the ED arrest him?"

Calcutta High Court stated the court has 'no sympathy' for the suspended leader

'A man who is a rapist, who exploited women, was safeguarded by the TMC government,' says Union Minister Giriraj singh

Sheikh Shahjahan's close aide Aamir Ali Gazi has been arrested from Jharkhand: SDPO Minakha Aminul Islam Khan

ANI reported.

Centre did not take any action to support women wrestlers, alleged AAP minister Saurabh Bharadwaj while speaking on Sheikh's arrest

'TMC at present is confused on what to do or not to do. After 55 days he was arrested and it was only because of our agitation,' says BJP Chief Sukanta Majumdar