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Is the arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan by Bengal Police hogwash to avoid central agencies getting custody? Here is what HC had said only recently

OpIndia Staff
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Is the arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan by Bengal Police hogwash to avoid central agencies getting custody? Here is what HC had said only recently

Sheikh Shahjahan, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader accused of sexual violence and land grabbing by multiple women in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali, was arrested on Thursday (29th February) morning by the Bengal Police after 55 days of the run from police. Pertinently he has been arrested for orchestrating an attack on ED and not for the sexual assault and rape complaints filed by the women of Sandeshkhali.

The 53-year-old TMC goon was apprehended in the Minakhan area of North 24 Parganas and will appear in court today, according to senior police officer Aminul Islam Khan. “We arrested Sheikh Shajahan yesterday night from the Minakhan PS area. We will ask for Police remand, let’s see how it goes,” added ADG (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar.

“Sheikh Shahjahan, one of the principal accused in a case which happened on January 5, 2024, where ED officers were assaulted during the course of a raid they were conducting,” South Bengal ADG Supratim Sarkar said during a press conference following the arrest.

On the issue of sexual assault complaints filed in Sandeshkhali, Sarkar said that the cases filed by the women pertain to incidents that are said to have happened 2-3 years back. “Investigating the cases, and collecting shreds of evidence would take a reasonable amount of time. The investigations are underway,” he added.

What the High Court said about Sheikh Shahjahan, giving ED and CBI the right to arrest him

The arrest came three days after the Calcutta High Court chastised the state police for delaying action against the Trinamool leader, stating that “he should be arrested”. This also comes a day after the Calcutta High Court ruled that central agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the Enforcement Directorate (ED) would be free to arrest Sheikh, the key accused in cases of land grab and sexual harassment that surfaced following violent protests in Sandeshkhali island of North 24 Parganas district.

A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya gave the clarification after being informed by ASG SV Raju that the CBI suspected the State police of colluding with Shahjahan, who had been missing for more than 50 days. 

“The ASG apprehends that if the State police make an arrest, there is a likelihood of the case being diluted as the CBI and ED have serious reservations against the State police and there is an allegation of collusion with the absconding accused. The AG has disputed such contention. The concerned person has not been apprehended for a substantial period. As of date, what has been stayed is only the constitution of an SIT Therefore it is well open to the CBI or ED also to arrest the absconding accused. Equally so, there are other cases registered against the same accused, where he has been shown as absconding. Therefore, a person elected to public office cannot defy the law. It is open to any agency to arrest the concerned person,” the bench stated on 28th February.

Notably, amid the ongoing controversy, West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari had said that Shahjahan would be in ‘safe custody’ of the state police under Mamata Banerjee’s government. He stated that Shahjahan had managed to lock a deal with the state police who would be providing five-star facilities to him during his custody.

“The Scoundrel of Sandeshkhali – Seikh Shahjahan has been in the safe custody of Mamata Police since 12 am last night. He was taken away from the Bermajur – II Gram Panchayat area, after he managed to negotiate a deal with the Mamata Police, through influential mediators, that he would be taken care of properly while in Police and Judicial Custody,” the leader said in a post on X.

“He will be extended 5 Star facilities during his time behind bars and will have access to a mobile phone, through which he will be able to lead the Tolamool Party virtually. Even a bed in the Woodburn Ward will be kept ready and vacant for him if he chooses to spend some time there,” Adhikari added.

How Mamata Banerjee tried to shield Sheikh Shahjahan and downplay Sandeshkhali

It is pertinent to note that amid the unrest in Sandeshkhali village in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee on Sunday (18th February) attempted to downplay the harassment and sexual exploitation of women at the hands of Trinamool Congress goons.

During a public meeting at Birbhum, she dubbed the unrest in Sandeshkhali as a ‘minor incident’ and blamed the BJP and the media for amplifying the issue in the public discourse. “An incident has happened or rather made to happen. First, they sent the ED (Enforcement Directorate), and then its friend BJP entered the scene. After that, some media houses capitalised on the incident. Made a hue and cry out of a minor incident,” she was quoted as saying.

After trivialising the seriousness of the matter, she ‘promised’ to send officers to Sandeshkhali to listen to the grievances of the villagers. This is even though the victims have accused the police of being mute spectators to the atrocities committed against women.

She recently also targeted BJP leader Adhikari after the latter compared the incident to Nandigram where people had fought against land acquisition. “The situation in Sandeshkhali is like Nandigram. In Nandigram, people fought against land acquisition and here people are fighting against land grabs. Here, protests began after women started their movement against sexual harassment but land grabbing is the second most common allegation in Sandeshkhali.” Adhikari had said.

To this, Banerjee had blatantly said that each place had its own characteristics and that no comparison was needed to be done. “I do not support any wrongdoing and I won’t do that ever in my life. Even if some wrong was unknowingly committed somewhere, I do not support that as well,” she had said.

Why the Bengal police may have arrested Sheikh Shahjahan just to shield him from central agencies

After the arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan, when he was produced in court, the body language of the TMC leader clearly indicated that he had no fear of arrest or law enforcement agencies. This is also proved by the fact that the ED itself had told the High Court that Shahjahan, while on the run, was sending taunting voice messages to the ED – something that Osama Bin Laden would do.

Given what the High Court had said, it is entirely possible that the recent action by the state police could be a move to safeguard the interest of the accused Sheikh who is also a TMC leader.

The High Court had only recently said that the central agencies – CBI and ED – were free to arrest Sheikh Shahjahan. Give that the arrest came shortly after the order by the HC, it is being speculated that the Bengal police has now made a token arrest of the TMC leader so that the central agencies don’t get his custidy. Though Banerjee has said that she doesn’t support any wrongdoing, she has a history of downplaying the crimes that have been reported against women.

Notably, the BJP after the arrest of Sheikh slammed the state for delayed action and said that the state was not safe under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee. “After defending Shahjahan Sheikh on the floor of West Bengal Assembly, a red-faced Mamata Banerjee, left with no option, finally allowed WB Police to arrest the TMC leader, accused of sexual violence, murder, land grab and assault on government officials in Sandeshkhali,” he said.

“Shahjahan’s arrest, more than 50 days after he went in hiding, a day before the PM arrives in Bengal and post Calcutta High Court’s tough stricture, raises several questions on Mamata Banerjee’s predatory politics,” he added.

A huge number of women in Sandeshkhali accused Shajahan Sheikh and his allies of land grabs and forced sexual assaults. For more than a month, protesters have been gathering beside the river, demanding the arrest of Sheikh and his collaborators. It remains important to see now what further action the state police would take against Sheikh to ensure justice for the protesting women.

TMC and BJP neck and neck in Bengal, likely to have difference of just 1 per cent in vote share in Lok Sabha election: Zee-Matrize survey

OpIndia Staff
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TMC and BJP neck and neck in Bengal, likely to have difference of just 1 per cent in vote share in Lok Sabha election: Zee-Matrize survey

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections this year, all the political parties are leaving no stone unturned to woo the voters as they fight the ultimate battle of power. While the opposition’s I.N.D.I. Alliance is contesting the election with the sole motive of stopping Narendra Modi, the ruling NDA is aiming for ‘Abki baar 400 paar’. A recent survey by Zee News and Matrize says that the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) is set to win 24 seats out of 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, while BJP, which has emerged as a strong opposition in the state in recent years, is likely to win 17 seats. Meanwhile, the opinion poll says that I.N.D.I. Alliance might have to be content with just 1 seat.

An interesting fact worth noting has emerged in the survey from the state in the ZeeNews-Matrize opinion poll. The survey finding indicates that there would be a difference of a mere 1 per cent between the vote shares of TMC and BJP. While the Trinamool Congress is likely to get 43 per cent votes, the BJP might receive 42 per cent of the votes. Besides, the I.N.D.I. Alliance is projected to get 11 per cent of votes with others receiving the remaining 4 per cent votes. This figure is of immense importance for the BJP, which has been making relentless efforts to gain ground in the TMC stronghold.

The survey further delves into the reasons for Mamata Banerjee’s ‘popularity’.  It says that 48 per cent of respondents opined that Mamata Banerjee remains a popular leader for ending the rule of Leftist parties in the state. Meanwhile, 21 per cent respondents to the survey said that the TMC supremo has maintained her popularity due to her Muslim appeasement politics.

At the national level, the survey predicts that the NDA alliance would receive 43.6 per cent of the vote in the Lok Sabha elections. I.N.D.I. alliance will receive 27.7 per cent of the votes. The non-BJP/non-Congress alliance parties will receive 24.9% of the votes.

According to a ZeeNews report, the Zee News-MATRIZE Lok Sabha Opinion Poll was held from February 5th to February 27th. It received responses from 1,67,843 people from 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, including 87,000 men and 54,000 women. The poll also includes the responses of 27,000 first-time voters. The margin of error for the poll results is plus or minus 2 per cent.

Earlier this month, India Today published its ‘Mood of the Nation’ survey wherein it said that the TMC will maintain the lead by winning 22 seats out of 42 while BJP’s standing will improve as the party will win 19 seats. The survey was conducted between 15th December 2023 and 28th January 2024. The MOTN opinion poll said that the BJP will get 40 percent of the vote share while TMC will get 53 percent marking a decline of 4 per cent from 2019. Notably, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had secured 18 seats while TMC got 22.

Modi Vs Manmohan after 10 years in office: One gifted 123 prime properties in Delhi to Waqf Board, while other one is gifting world-class infra to all Indians

Paurush Gupta
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Modi Vs Manmohan after 10 years in office: One gifted 123 prime properties in Delhi to Waqf Board, while other one is gifting world-class infra to all Indians

While presenting the Interim Budget 2024, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on 1st February, announced the Modi government’s decision to table a ‘White Paper’ in the Parliament. The White Paper gave a comparative study about the performance of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government viz-a-viz Dr. Manmohan Singh-led UPA regime on the economic front, in their decade-long tenures.  

The 59-page white paper details how the UPA inherited a healthy economy in 2004, but when the Narendra Modi government replaced the Manmohan Singh government in 2014, the Indian economy was in very bad shape. Comparing key macro and micro-economic parameters, it highlighted how the UPA’s decade of governance (or absence thereof) was embroiled in systemic corruption and policy paralysis, leading India to be classified among the notorious ‘fragile five’ economies. Additionally, it traced the contrasting performance of the NDA government during its ten years in power.

Along those lines, there could be supplementary ‘White Papers’ examining their performances on several other key parameters, including the welfare of different communities – Sabka Vikas vs placating for Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb, that is the contrast between appeasement politics and politics of saturation.

Idea of Sabka Vikas: Need for appeasement or judicious upliftment?

With a plethora of policy measures in ten years of NDA and UPA governments, clear disparities in the ‘Idea of Sabka Vikas’ and action plans on those lines become evident. While the Modi government’s ‘Sabka Vikas’ entails the philosophy of welfare politics through ‘politics of saturation’, the UPA government was marred with the accusation of having a communal tilt, politics of appeasement. 

Under its stated ambitious goal of ‘politics of saturation’, the Modi government targets 100% coverage in schemes like PM Awas Yojana, Har Ghar Nal Se Jal, and health coverage through Ayushman Bharat Yojana, vaccination among others. It aims to achieve ‘Sabka Vikas’ – ‘development of all, appeasement of none’ – which is the upliftment of every Indian to abridge ‘Dil ki duri’, if any. It has put in motion actionable agendas like welfare schemes for all, including minorities, infrastructure expansion to remote or lesser connected regions like the Northeast, and ‘representation’ irrespective of caste, religion, or region like Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.  

In its ten years of governance, the Congress-led UPA government worked along the lines of appeasement so much that Former Defence Minister AK Antony held ‘its minority appeasement’ policy as the major reason for its route in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.     

People have lost faith in the secular credentials of the party. They have a feeling that the Congress bats for a few communities, especially minorities, AK Antony had underscored after analysing reasons of party’s defeat. 

(Excerpt of AK Antony’s remarks, Image Source – Times of India)

Here are a few examples of how the Congress party faired on the allegations of appeasement politics. 

  1. Pandering to the Muslim vote bank, Congress gifted 123 properties in prime locations in Delhi to Waqf right before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections

The Congress-led UPA government in 2014, handed over 123 properties in prime locations in Delhi to the Delhi Waqf Board. Ahead of that year’s Lok Sabha elections, the Congress government exercised its powers under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act of 2013 to denotify 123 properties from the land acquisition process. The said properties were to be handed over to the Delhi Waqf Board.

The government notification was subsequently challenged by the Indraprastha Vishwa Hindu Parishad. In the same year, a Delhi court passed an order asking the Centre to listen to the grievances of the stakeholders and make a decision. 

After due process, the Modi government, on 17th February 2023, corrected the UPA government’s decision. It posted notices outside these 123 properties in Delhi, stating that they were no longer considered properties of the Delhi Waqf Board.

  1. Appeasement Policy Continuum: From Communal Violence Bill to rhetoric pleasing Islamists 

The draft of the Communal Violence Bill, officially referred to as the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2011, would have proved to be one of the most disastrous laws if it were to be enacted. It assumed that only religious or linguistic minorities and people from the Scheduled Castes and Tribes could be the victims of communal violence conveniently ignoring all ground realities. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had correctly said then that the bill was anti-majority and presumed that the majority community is always to blame for the communal violence. Here is a detailed report on the members who were entrusted to draft this outrageous bill. 

Apart from communally-charged executive or legislative measures, the Congress-led UPA government made rhetorics, as part of its appeasement policy, that emboldened Islamists. Evidently, sensing its eroding political capital, Congress made an abject surrender to the Muslim vote bank ahead of the 2012 UP Assembly elections which is considered a virtual semi-final before Lok Sabha elections. It is considered that the party that gains big in UP, possesses a better chance of excelling in Lok Sabha elections. 

In one of his rallies during the 2012 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Salman Khurshid had said that Sonia Gandhi, the then Congress President, cried bitterly after seeing the images of the slain terrorists who were killed in the 2008 Batla House encounter. In brief, the Batla House encounter took place on 19th September 2008, during which two Indian Mujahideen terrorists namely Atif Amin and Mohammad Sajid were neutralised.

(Snippet from OpIndia Article)
(Video Courtesy – NDTV)

It is important to highlight that remarks invoking sympathies for terrorists from a sitting Minister can’t be shrugged off as mere ‘slip of the tongue’ or erroneous unharmful mischief as vote-getter rhetoric rather it works as a tactical shield for Islamists, creating a sense of aggrandisement in radicals and law and order situation and a no-go zone for security forces. 

Needless to say, appeasement politics is often presented as a ‘qualifying criteria’ for secular credentials or as a measure for community protection or development. This approach promotes the idea of ‘development’ for minority communities, often perpetuating their status as a ‘perennial vote bank’ deliberately kept behind by such policies.

  1. Judicious upliftment of the poor vs number-dressing 

In 2012, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia removed poverty and uplifted poor en-mass with a stroke of a pen. The UPA drew massive flake for hailing its poverty alleviation measures by doing number-dressing. 

Back then, Ahluwalia had said that poverty has come down, no matter what method one uses. The Commission gave an estimation that the poverty ratio had declined to 29.8 percent in 2009-10, from 37.2 percent in 2004-05. However, it was found that the ratio had been worked out based on a controversial per capita daily consumption of Rs 28.65 in cities and Rs 22.42 in rural areas.

Contrarily, in the tenth year of the Modi government, recent Research reports have hailed government initiatives for improving rural livelihood and bringing the poverty level down to 5 percent of the population. 

Notably, on Tuesday (27th February), a research report published by the State Bank of India (SBI) corroborated the findings of the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), which was conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).

It noted the positive impact that the schemes of the Union government had in reducing poverty, checking inflation, increasing the Monthly Per-capita Consumer Expenditure (MPCE) and bridging the urban-rural divide in spending power. For instance, rural poverty has decreased from 25.7% (2011-12) to 7.2% (2022-2023) while urban poverty has reduced from 13.7% (2011-12) to 4.6% (2022-2023). Complete details of these reports can be read here and here. 

Authoritarian, undemocratic, and illegal measures to perpetuate power, system, and/or ‘money’

Democratic ways of functioning could be another subject matter for a supplementary ‘White Paper’ to compare the ten years of NDA vs UPA. The last policy measures of the UPA would be succinct to point out how the UPA used authoritarian, undemocratic, and illegal measures to scam Indian democratic ethos and perpetuate power, system, and/or ‘money’ for itself. 

On the day when UPA lost power to NDA in 2014, the outgoing Finance Minister P Chidambaram signed an order that benefitted 13 companies including that of Mehul Choksi. A CNN-News 18 report had revealed that former finance minister P Chidambaram signed an order in a great hurry on 16th May 2014 that allowed certain specific companies to import gold. 

As per the details, the RBI circular allowed 13 companies to import gold under the 80-20 scheme and Mehul Choksi’s Gitanjali Gems was among them. The RBI circular was dated May 21, 2014, and it was signed by the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram on 16th May 2014, on the day that the general election results were announced and UPA had lost power. Around 50% of the entire benefit was cornered by 7 companies, and Mehul Choksi’s Gitanjali Gems was again one of them. Gitanjali Gems is believed to have imported 400 kg of gold under the scheme after the order. Economic fugitive Mehul Choksi is one of the accused in the 11,000 crores PNB Bank fraud.

Similarly, the caretaker-UPA government also made hurried appointments on several prominent posts including that in PSUs and Army Chief (however it got relief on it, despite it being a last-minute decision and of a caretaker government). It also faced stiff opposition to carrying out certain acquisitions. The Congress party was accused of appointing ‘favourable persons’ to hold a prolonged power in the system. In fact, it is often said that Congress still commands a hold in the system as it has its favourable persons in the system.

Division of a state in an undemocratic manner to gain votes

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2014, the Congress-led UPA also carried out the bifurcation of erstwhile Andra Pradesh in a hurried manner to gain advantage on 17 Lok Sabha seats in the newly carved Telangana. It was a hurriedly drafted bill that led to unruly scenes in the Lok Sabha and passed in a completely chaotic undemocratic manner. 

(Snippet from TOI article)

The infamous pepper spray incident in the Lok Sabha occurred when this bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha in February 2014. 

The Act was so badly drafted that even now there are unresolved issues between the Telangana and AP state governments. For example, Jairam Ramesh failed to list 12 institutions whose assets have to be distributed between the states and now they are fighting for them! After assuming power, it was the Modi government that corrected the UPA’s politically drafted bill.  

The drafting of the act was so careless and shoddy that the Modi government had to redraw the boundaries of the two states, in its very first cabinet meeting in May 2014. 

The Congress and I.N.D.I. alliance partners have regularly opposed major reformative measures and Bills of the Modi government using the flimsy trope that they were passed in the din, or not sent to a select committee, extending the benefit to a section ‘without’ them asking for it – as happened in the case of Triple talaq or the Farm Laws. However, when it was in power as a caretaker government, it took substantive policy measures, undemocratically and illegally. 

The nation, particularly voters, will benefit greatly if supplementary ‘White papers’ are presented so that they can make an informed decision while going to the polling booth and not fall in the trap of divisive agendas hiding appeasement of radicals in virtuous planks, ‘unity, brotherhood, tolerance’ etc. 

Hyderabad: Four arrested for manufacturing and selling adulterated ginger garlic paste

OpIndia Staff
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Hyderabad: Four arrested for manufacturing and selling adulterated ginger garlic paste

On Tuesday (27th February), the Hyderabad police’s Central Task Force along with Begumpet Police arrested four persons for producing and selling adulterated ginger-garlic paste in Rajendernagar.

The police arrested 72-year-old Panduranga Rao, a trader from Patigadda, Begumpet, who conspired with 36-year-old Raheem Charaniya, the owner of Deccan Traders, to make adulterated ginger and garlic paste. The gang had been supplying their adulterated product in Kirana stores in the market with the assistance of 43-year-old Ajay Kumar Aheer, the proprietor of Telangana Agency and 29-year-old Pradeep Sankla, the proprietor of Nikil Traders. The police confiscated Rs 5 lakh worth of materials from the arrested accused.

The police first apprehended Panduranga Rao based on a tip-off. He brought them to the spurious manufacturing and trading facility in Upperpally, Rajendranagar. The seized items included 700 kilograms of ginger and garlic paste, 625 kilograms of low-grade raw garlic, 100 kilograms of low-grade raw ginger, 150 kilograms of crystal salt, an unknown liquid, powder, chemical tins, and 20 kilograms of decomposed ginger and garlic paste. In addition, 1 weight machine, 1 sealing/packing machine, and grinder machines were also seized.

The Hyderabad Police informed that one of the accused Raheem Charaniya is a native of Gujarat who migrated to Begumpet and settled here a few years ago.

“To gain easy money, illegal manufacturing machinery was established at Upper Pally, Rajendranagar. Manufacturing adulterate Ginger-Garlic paste by using undisclosed/unnamed chemical, Red colour by using citric acid, spurious components and supplying to various General Kirana stores as genuine product and gaining huge profits in illegal manner,” Hyderabad Police said in a  Facebook post.

The police added, “The adulterated Ginger Garlic paste is hazardous to human life. The spurious/Toxic material which may cause life threatening effects even in small amounts and with short exposure. May cause serious and prolonged health effects on short or long term exposure to human.”

Following the arrest, a case was registered at Begumpet Police Station against the accused persons under sections 272, 273, 336 and 420 of the IPC.

Cristiano Ronaldo gets one-match ban for vulgar gesture towards fans chanting Messi’s name in Saudi Pro League

OpIndia Staff
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Cristiano Ronaldo gets one-match ban for vulgar gesture towards fans chanting Messi’s name in Saudi Pro League

Football star Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned for one match by Saudi Arabian Football Federation for a vulgar gesture towards rival fans chanting Argentinian maestro Lionel Messi’s name during a club match in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, made the gesture during a game against Al Shabab in the league.

Ronaldo made the gesture after the final whistle of a 3-2 win for Al Nassr when Ronaldo was seen cupping his ear, before repeatedly pumping his hand forward in front of his pelvic area.

The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Football Federation stated that the former Manchester United star would have to pay a fine of 10,000 Saudi riyals to the Saudi Football Federation, and 20,000 riyals to Al Shabab, which will cover the costs of complaint filing fees. The decision is not subject to any appeal.

Earlier, Ronaldo issued a statement trying to explain his actions. The Portuguese star said, “I respect all clubs. And the joy after the shot expresses strength and victory, and it is not shameful. We are used to it in Europe.”

Ronaldo is currently the top-scorer in the Saudi Pro League this season with 22 goals, and opened the scoring vs Al Shabab with a penalty. Ronaldo was in similar controversy in Al Nassr’s pre-season, after a game against Al Hilal, he reportedly grabbed his genitals as fans chanted Messi’s name. In his defence, the club said that he sustained a groin injury in the match and that is why he was grabbing that area of his body.

After the match, Ronaldo once again angered the rivals fans in a controversial incident. While nearing the tunnel, a fan threw a Al Hilal shawl at Ronaldo, which he held and then pointed at his crotch area, followed by throwing it away.

Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January 2023, after Manchester United terminated his contract following an interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan. In the interview, Ronaldo criticised the club, and manager Erik ten Hag.

‘Like Osama Bin Laden would’: As Sheikh Shahjahan is finally arrested, read how he was sending voice notes taunting central agencies

OpIndia Staff
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‘Like Osama Bin Laden would’: As Sheikh Shahjahan is finally arrested, read how he was sending voice notes taunting central agencies

The West Bengal Police has finally arrested TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan accused of land grabbing and several cases of rape. The TMC leader was arrested from the Minakhan area in North 24 Parganas after weeks of protests by Sandeshkhali women.

Notably, Shahjahan had a dictatorial hold over Sandeshkhali, a village in the Basirhat constituency of North 24 Paraganas in West Bengal.

On 5th January, a violent mob of 800-1000 people attacked the team of the Enforcement Directorate, CRPF and journalists in Sandeshkhali when they arrived to conduct searches at Sheikh Shahjahan’s premises.

Sheikh Shahjahan‘s mobile location established that he was inside the house. In just minutes after the officials reached his doorstep, a large mob marched towards them with weapons, gheraoed them and started hitting them.

The ED added that the mob was suspected to have been instigated by the TMC leader. “ED officials while discharging their duties were badly attacked by crowds (suspected to be instigated by Sahajahan Sheikh and his associates). Three officers have suffered grievous injuries as the mob has marched towards the ED officials with an intention to cause death,” the central agency said.

About a month after this incident, distressed local women of Sandeshkhali took to the streets early in February demanding the arrest of TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan, who was absconding and two other TMC workers Shiba Prasad Hara and Uttam Sardar.

Locals stated that the TMC goon, a close aide of CM Mamata Banerjee, usurped the land of the poor villagers. Shocking revelations of rape, sexual harassment, and threats of gang rape came to light through witness and victim testimonies too.

What’s more, is that the role of the police was exposed through these testimonies wherein aggrieved women narrated how the state force under the TMC government was in cahoots with Sheikh Shahjahan and his goons.

Amidst all this, Sheikh Shahjahan was in hiding with much convenience. The TMC leader was absconding ever since the mob attack on ED.

The CBI informed the Calcutta High Court how the West Bengal Police had failed to arrest Sheikh Shahjahan even 12 days after the attack on ED and CRPF despite the TMC leader sending voice messages from underground.

The CBI likened this to Osama Bin Laden, who time and again released several voice messages while underground from 2001 to 2011.

Shockingly, even as the West Bengal Police were supposedly looking for Shahjahan, the latter was broadcasting his defying messages. In his voice message, Sheikh Shahjahan was reportedly heard advising his followers in the Sandeshkhali area not to be scared of central agencies. In the message, he also assured his followers of returning soon.

The Leader of Opposition in Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari has said that the TMC goon’s arrest is only symbolic and that he will be extended VIP treatment. The LoP, in a post on X, alleged that Shahjahan will be extended five-star facilities while in jail.

The West Bengal Police’s role in the entire saga has exposed the corrupt state of law and order in the TMC-ruled state. Inaction by the police, distrust amongst victims and locals at large towards the force and allegations of the police’s involvement have ruptured the state machinery altogether.

So deep is the distrust towards the police among locals that on 12th February, residents of Sandeshkhali village sought justice from West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and demanded strict punishment against Trinamool Congress goons.

“While you are here, we can speak up, but once you leave, the situation returns to what it was. They will continue to oppress us. Do something so that they are arrested. We demand severe punishment; we want justice,” a woman told the West Bengal Governor.

‘Cases 2-3 years old’: Bengal Police says Sheikh Shahjahan has been arrested for assault on ED, not Sandeshkhali complaints of rape and sexual assault

ANI
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‘Cases 2-3 years old’: Bengal Police says Sheikh Shahjahan has been arrested for assault on ED, not Sandeshkhali complaints of rape and sexual assault

West Bengal police said on Thursday that Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan’s arrest was in connection with an assault on officers of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) during a raid in January this year. 

“Sheikh Shahjahan, one of the principal accused in a case which happened on January 5, 2024, where ED officers were assaulted during the course of a raid they were conducting,” South Bengal ADG Supratim Sarkar said during a press conference following the arrest. 

On complaints under Section 354, the ADG said, “In this case the complaint did not pertain to 354.” He further said that Shahjahan will be produced in Basirhat court today. 

“We arrested him yesterday night from Minakha Police area. We have forwarded Sheikh Shahjahan to Basirhat court. We will ask for police remand,” the ADG said. 

On sexual assault complaints, the ADG said that there were many cases and most of them happened around two years back so investigation will take time. “Many cases after February 7,8,9, those came up then, pertain to incidents that happened 2,3 years back. So investigating them, gathering evidence takes time,” Supratim Sarkar said. 

Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested by West Bengal police on Thursday morning in connection with allegations against him in ongoing cases. He had been evading arrest by both state and central agencies for over a month. 

Shahjahan’s arrest comes three days after the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice ordered to add Sheikh Shahjahan’s name to the Sandeshkhali case. 

BJP’s Amit Malviya hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after Shahjahan’s arrest saying that the state government had been left with no option but to arrest him. Naming TMC leaders for similar cases, Malviya alleged that they ‘run similar reign of terror because they deliver votes to Mamata Banerjee’. 

“After defending Shahjahan Sheikh on the floor of West Bengal Assembly, a red faced Mamata Banerjee, left with no option, finally allowed WB Police to arrest the TMC leader, accused of sexual violence, murder, land grab and assault on government officials in #Sandeshkhali,” Malviya said in a post on X. 

“Shahjahan’s arrest, more than 50 days after he went in the hiding, a day before the PM arrives in Bengal and post Calcutta High Court’s tough stricture, raises several questions on Mamata Banerjee’s predatory politics,” the post stated. 

“Shahjahan Sheikh is not the only criminal in TMC’s rank. There are people like Saokat Molla, Jahangir Khan etc, who run similar reign of terror, with the support of WB Police, without fear of consequences, because they deliver votes to Mamata Banerjee,” he said. 

He alleged that women are not safe in Bengal under Mamata further demanding her removal. 

“It is obvious that Bengal is not safe under Mamata Banerjee, the women in particular. She needs to be ousted from power,” Malviya said. 

Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district had witnessed widespread protests against TMC strongman Shahjahan Sheikh this month as a section of women were seeking justice against alleged atrocities committed by the TMC leader. A large number of women in Sandeshkhali had accused Shajahan Sheikh and his close aides of “land-grab and sexual assault” under coercion.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

As Sheikh Shahjahan gets arrested, read how Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal police tried their best to deny his crimes

OpIndia Staff
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As Sheikh Shahjahan gets arrested, read how Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal police tried their best to deny his crimes

The police in West Bengal have finally ‘found’ the absconding TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and arrested him, after weeks of protests by the local women and unsuccessful attempts by the ED team.

ANI reported that the West Bengal Police arrested Sheikh Shahjahan from the Minakhan area in North 24 Parganas. The SDPO said that the TMC leader would be taken to Basirhat Court at 2 PM today (Thursday, 29th February).

The arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan has come after weeks of protests by the local women who have been voicing their outrage against the institutionalised sexual exploitation, rape, property encroachment, and corruption they have suffered at the hands of the influential TMC leader and his goons.

Interestingly, the West Bengal police have clarified that Sheikh Shahjahan has not been arrested for the sexual exploitation of women in the Sandeshkhali area. They have stated that the arrest is for the attack on ED team on January 5 and the complaints of sexual exploitation and rape are “old cases” that would need time to investigate.

The incompetency of the Bengal government machinery and the state police was so stark in the case that on 20th February, the Calcutta High Court slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led-West Bengal government for failing to arrest ‘absconding’ Sheikh Shahjahan, responsible for the violence and unrest in Sandeshkhali village. During the hearing, the court observed, “He (Sheikh Shahjahan) cannot be encouraged by State dispensation. There is a prima facie material to show he has done damage…”

“This person cannot be on the run. There will be law and order problems. He is a public representative. He cannot be defying the law. Let’s see whether he can appear before the Court,” it noted.

The BJP has been claiming that Sheikh Shahjahan has been under the protection of the state government machinery and the Mamata Banerjee government is not only helping him, but actively involved in preventing his arrest and protecting him from the ED.

On Wednesday, 28th February, just hours before Shahjahan’s arrest, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari made a sensational claim. Adhikari stated that Shahjahan was picked up in Bermajur – II Gram Panchayat area by the police, but he managed to negotiate a deal through influential mediators, and after that, he will be properly taken care of while he will be in police and judicial custody. Adhikari also stated that the ‘arrest’ will be a farce and Shahjahan will be accorded ‘5-star’ facilities in custody. He will be provided with a mobile phone to virtually run his political and financial empire.

It took 4 years for the police to make chargesheets: Calcutta HC slams Bengal police

On Monday, 26th February, the Calcutta HC had come down heavily on the police and Bengal government. “It is surprising to note that incidents in the area were reported to state police four years ago and that it has taken four years for the cases to mature into 42 chargesheets”, the High Court said.

The court further asserted, “A wrong impression has been created as if an interim order of stay of arrest has been given. There is nothing on record to say that such a stay is in place. Therefore he should be arrested.”

‘Abhishek Banerjee lied’, there was no stay order against Shahjahan’s arrest by Calcutta HC

In a blatant lie to hide the government’s unwillingness to arrest the absconding TMC leader, TMC general secretary, MP, and CM Mamata’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee had claimed that the state police ‘cannot’ arrest Sheikh Shahjahan because there is a “stay order” on his arrest by the Calcutta HC.

“TMC govt is not shielding Sheikh Shahjahan, he is protected by Calcutta High Court stay order against his arrest on an ED appeal” Banerjee had claimed. When the media asked when he was planning to visit Sandeshkhali, the MP stated that he would visit ‘when the time is right’.

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju had soon responded, saying that Banerjee is telling a blatant lie and there was no stay order or legal tangle to arrest Sheikh Shahjahan.

The Calcutta HC soon clarified the misleading claims, asserting that there is no such ‘stay’ order on Shahjahan’s arrest and the state police is free to arrest the absconding TMC leader.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam, taking a su moto case, directed the High Court registry to issue a public notice in newspapers informing that Shahjahan Sheikh is wanted by the police as he is on the run and has not been seen in public since January 5.

How Mamata Banerjee herself tried to dismiss and whitewash Sandeshkhali horror, and shame the victims

Speaking at the State Assembly on Thursday, February 15, the TMC supremo gave a clean chit to her aide Shahjahan Sheikh and instead pinned the blame on the BJP and the RSS.

Further displaying complete apathy towards the women victims who have come on camera and spoken about the atrocities meted out to them by the TMC goons, Mamata Banerjee claimed that those who are covering their faces and are speaking to the media are BJP workers and she would get them arrested.

Giving a clean chit to her aide Shahjahan Sheikh and his supporters whom the local women of Sandeshkhali have accused of land-grabbing and sexually assaulting them under coercion, Mamata added that there are no records of rape with the West Bengal police. She hinted that the women of Sandheskhali have not been wronged and that this is a conspiracy hatched by the BJP to target TMC’s leader Shahjahan Sheikh.

The Bengal CM focused on claiming that the area has been a ‘bunker’ for the RSS-BJP for several years and insinuated that the claims of the women victims are fake, and floated as per a plan by the RSS-BJP.

“We are looking into the Sandeshkhali situation, no one involved in any wrongdoing will be spared, the BJPs’ target was a leader of the Trinamool Congress (Shajahan Sheikh),” Mamata Banerjee told the state Assembly. She even blamed the media, stating that the ‘fake media’ that is highlighting the issue should be ‘shut down’ and ‘real media’ should function.

On Wednesday (14th February), West Bengal Police shared from their X handle that no allegations about the rape and sexual exploitation of women have so far been received in connection to the events in Sandeshkhali.

As per reports, the West Bengal police, working at the behest of TMC supremo and CM Mamata Banerjee has been accused of shielding the accused TMC leaders, instead of taking action. Reportedly, during the protests, police accompanied the Trinamool Congress workers and harassed the protesting women.

Moreover, it emerged that instead of taking action against the accused, the WB police filed cases against relatives of victims for making complaints. This was revealed by Rekha Sharma, the chairperson of the National Commission for Women.

‘Show me video proof of rape’: TMC spokesperson Jui Biswas

On Friday (16th February) Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) spokesperson Jui Biswas asked for the video footage from West Bengal as proof of the rapes against women in Sandeshkhali. She made this bizarre statement during a debate on DD News. Biswas was participating in the program ‘5 Ki Panchayat’ on DD News with four other panelists.

When the anchor asked, “The politician who is the main accused in the Sandeshkhali case is from your party and you say that the investigation will also be done by your party only. How exactly fair it seems?”

Jui Biswas responded, “Similar cases have happened in other states. Did anybody ask such a question at that time? In Hathras, it was even proved that the rape crime did take place. Show me a single piece of evidence or a single video footage to prove that rape took place. This all is a show staged by the BJP.”

Nusrat Jahan, the filmstar TMC MP of the Bashirhat constituency under which the Sandeshkhali area comes, has been absent from the scene. She has been partying, celebrating Valentines’ Day, and attending celebrity events in her world of glitz and glamour. When questioned about the plight of women in her constituency who have been facing years of sexual exploitation and rape at the hands of a leader of her own party, Nusrat Jahan replied that she has been unable to visit Sandeshkhali because ‘Section 174’ is in place there. The TMC MP had no idea that it is ‘Section 144’ and not 174.

Background of the entire case

On 8th February this year, hundreds of women in Sandeshkhali took to the streets to protest against land grabbing, non-payment of wages, and sexual violence committed by Trinamool Congress goon Sheikh Shahjahan and his two aides Shiba Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar.

The women attacked Shahjahan’s illicitly obtained properties and set fire to a poultry farm owned by Shiba Prasad Hazra. They also surrounded the Sandeshkali police station and demanded the immediate arrest of the trio. The agitation in the village lasted for 3 days.

On 10th February, the local police imposed Section 144 in various areas in Sandeshkhali and also banned the use of the Internet in 16 panchayats scattered over the two blocks of Sandeshkhali-I and Sandeshkhali-II.

In a bid to pacify the angry villagers of Sandeshkhali, the TMC leadership suspended Uttam Sardar from the party for six years. The suspended TMC leader and Zilla Parishad member was subsequently arrested in the Sandeshkhali police station area. The police also arrested a former CPI(M) MLA named Nirpada Sardar in connection to the case on 11th February. On Friday (17th February), the police arrested TMC leader Shibu Prasad Hazra over land grabbing and sexual exploitation of women in Sandeshkhali.

The primary accused Sheikh Shahjahan, who was on the run from January 5 when the ED team coming to raid his properties in the PDS scam case was attacked and assaulted by his goons, managed to stay on the run for nearly 2 months.

Shahjahan had hit the headlines after an ED team coming to raid his residence as part of the investigation into the ration scam was brutally assaulted by a large mob. Shahjahan managed to flee on that day, and the ED’s attempts to nab him were all unsuccessful.

He started as CPI(M) leader Moslem Sheikh’s right-hand man, collecting money for him. He subsequently started to dabble in local fishing and real estate. In 2004, Sheikh entered politics as a union leader in brick kilns in Sandeshkhali. He then joined the Left regime in 2006. He joined the Trinamool Congress in 2013 and rose to prominence quickly, under the mentorship of West Bengal Minister Jyoti Priya Mallick and the then-TMC national general secretary Mukul Roy.

In 2019, Shahjahan was named in an FIR on the murder of 2 BJP workers Pradip and Sukanta Mandal. However, he faced no police action. It is reported that most of his ‘goons’ are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. He had reportedly fled to Bangladesh after the murder of Pradip and Sukanta Mandal in June 2019.

Such was the power and influence of Shahjahan in the area and amid the TMC power circles that just days before the brutal attack on the ED team, Shahjahan stood on a podium addressing his supporters and proudly announced that no ED or CBI would ever be able to touch him. Declaring his devotion to Mamata Banerjee, Sheikh Shahjahan had declared that BJP workers and supporters would be ‘executed’ after the 2024 elections.

A detailed report on Sheikh Shahjahan’s politics, crimes and career can be read here.

Pakistan enemy for BJP, not for us: Congress doubles down after allegations of Pro-Pak slogans following Naseer Hussain’s victory in Rajya Sabha polls

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan enemy for BJP, not for us: Congress doubles down after allegations of Pro-Pak slogans following Naseer Hussain’s victory in Rajya Sabha polls

On Wednesday (28th February), a member of Karnataka’s legislative council, Congress leader BK Hariprasad said that Pakistan is an enemy country only for BJP. He said that Pakistan may be an enemy for the Bharatiya Janata Party but for Congress, it is just a neighbouring country. The BJP in response said that the statement by the Congress MLC is inciting anti-national sentiments.

BK Hariprasad made this statement while replying to the allegations by the state BJP unit that ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans were raised by Congress supporters outside the assembly house on Tuesday during the celebrations of Congress candidate Naseer Hussain’s victory in the recently held Rajya Sabha elections.

While speaking inside the state’s legislative council, BK Hariprasad said, “They speak about our relationship with an enemy country. According to them, Pakistan is an enemy country. For us, Pakistan is not an enemy country; it’s our neighbouring country. Recently, they awarded the Bharat Ratna to LK Advani, who visited Jinnah’s mausoleum in Lahore and said there was no other secular leader like him. Was Pakistan not an enemy country then?”

The Karnataka state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party criticised BK Hariprasad’s remarks in a post on X. BJP Karnataka posted, “What is the attitude and position of Congress towards Pakistan – BK Hariprasad made it clear in the house. By calling Pakistan an enemy of the BJP and Pakistan a neighbour of Congress, the Karnataka Congress has made it clear that the close relationship between Jawaharlal Nehru and Mohammad Ali Jinnah continues even to the present generation.”

BJP Karnataka added, “Apart from standing by those who shouted slogans of Pakistan Zindabad in the Vidhan Sabha, words are not enough if one talks about the mindset of the Congressmen that Pakistan, which has declared war on India four times, is not an enemy nation. Anti-national sentiments like BK Hariprasad are rampant at all levels of Congress.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the BJP initiated a protest within the confines of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, claiming that supporters of Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussain, following his successful election to the Rajya Sabha, had voiced pro-Pakistan slogans. They alleged that the ruling Congress was complicit in shielding the individuals involved. However, the Congress has refuted these claims, stating that their party members were merely chanting “Naseer Saab Zindabad” to commemorate Naseer Hussain’s victory, and not expressing any allegiance to Pakistan.

Haryana police’s strong action against goons in ‘farmer’ protest: To cancel passports and visas of violent elements, damage to be recovered from ‘leaders’

OpIndia Staff
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Haryana police’s strong action against goons in ‘farmer’ protest: To cancel passports and visas of violent elements, damage to be recovered from ‘leaders’

On 28th February, Haryana police announced that they had initiated the process to cancel the passports and visas of the individuals accused of breaking barricades or causing disturbances at the Punjab border during farmer protests 2.0. Terming them ‘rowdies’, Ambala Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Joginder Sharma clarified that not all protesters engaged in such behavior during the protests. Notably, the so-called farmers are set to resume their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on 29th February.

He said, “We are taking action against only those rowdies who were involved in disturbances during the farmer agitation. We have started communicating with the authorities concerned in this regard.”

The action is being taken against ‘rowdies’ who reached the border from Punjab during the agitation. They have been identified using CCTV, drone cameras, and videography. DSP Sharma said, “Through CCTV or drone cameras and videography, we have identified persons engaged in breaking barricades or causing disturbances. We have also taken numerous photographs where they are seen vandalizing properties and causing disturbances through different means.”

DSP Sharma further added that the police officials are in contact with the passport authorities and concerned embassies. He said, “We are initiating action for the cancellation of their visas and passports by accessing their photos and residential details,” Sharma added.”

On 13th February, the protesting ‘farmers’ reportedly damaged the barricades put up by the Haryana police to stop them from entering the state from Punjab. They used tractors to remove the cement and barbed wires. The police used tear gas shells and water cannons to control the agitated protesters and stop them from breaching the barricades. Later, on 23rd February, fresh clashes broke out at the Punjab-Haryana border, and Haryana police used tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. Earlier, Haryana police had announced that they had started the process of invoking the National Security Act against farmer union leaders but later decided not to proceed with it.

Farmer union leaders claim murder case registered in death of farmer Shubhkaran Singh

Farmer union leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said in a statement that they got the information about the registration of a case under Sections 302 and 114 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the alleged death of protesting farmer Shubhkaran Singh at the Khanauri Border at Patran police station. He added that the body of the deceased was taken to his native village for the last rites.

He said, “Today is the 17th day of the march at the Khanauri and Shambhu border. We have received the info that an FIR has been lodged under sections 302 and 114 of IPC (in the death of Shubhkaran Singh)… Also, today, we will take the body of the deceased (Shubhkaran Singh) to the Khanauri border, and his (Shubhkaran Singh) last rites will be performed at his native village.”

Notices of recovery put up at union leaders involved in farmer protests

As per an Indian Express report, Haryana police have pasted notices at the Haryana farmer union leaders’ houses. As per the union leaders, the notices stated that the losses caused to the public and private properties during the farmer protests would be recovered by seizing their properties and freezing bank accounts.

Spokesperson of BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) Haryana, Tejveer Singh, said, “Notices have been put up on the houses of over a dozen farmer unions’ leaders, most of them are associated with the BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) Ambala, a KMM constituent. Our phones have been put on surveillance, and police are visiting our houses because we are protesting against the government and raising our genuine demands.” He claimed not to have visited his house in Panjokra Sahib village in Ambala since 30th January. President of BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) Haryana, Amarjeer Singh, claimed such notice was pasted on his house too.

Why are farmers protesting

The farmers are protesting to get their demands fulfilled by the Union Government, including a legal guarantee of MSP, implementation of Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pension for farmers and labourers, debt waiver, no hike in electricity traffic, withdrawal of police cases, reinstatement of Land Acquisition Act, 2012, compensation for the families of farmers who allegedly died during 2020-21 farmer protests and more.

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