KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Falta assembly election candidate Jahangir Khan was arrested by the West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF) near the India-Nepal border on Monday, bringing an end to days of speculation over his whereabouts after he went missing following the West Bengal Assembly election results. Authorities said Khan was apprehended during a coordinated operation based on specific intelligence inputs indicating that he was allegedly attempting to move towards the Nepal border region.
Police sources said Khan was taken into custody by STF personnel and is being brought to Kolkata for further legal proceedings. Officials have not yet disclosed the exact location of the arrest, but reports suggest that investigators had been tracking his movements for several days before carrying out the operation.
Jahangir Khan emerged as one of the most controversial political figures during the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections. He was fielded by the TMC from the Falta constituency in South 24 Parganas district, an area that witnessed intense political attention after allegations of electoral irregularities surfaced during polling. Complaints regarding alleged tampering and other voting-related irregularities eventually led the Election Commission to order a repoll in the constituency.
However, in a dramatic political development, Khan announced his withdrawal from the electoral contest just 48 hours before the repoll was scheduled to take place. His decision triggered widespread debate and political speculation across West Bengal. Despite withdrawing from active campaigning, his name remained on the electronic voting machines because the withdrawal came after the formal nomination process had been completed.
When the repoll results were declared, the constituency witnessed a decisive outcome. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a massive victory, while Khan finished far behind the leading candidates. Following the declaration of results, he was reportedly absent from public view and could not be located either at his residence or party offices, leading to growing speculation about his whereabouts.
Legal troubles surrounding Khan had intensified in recent weeks. Several criminal cases were registered against him, and he approached the Calcutta High Court seeking protection from arrest. Earlier, the court had granted him temporary relief from coercive action. However, that legal protection expired, and subsequent attempts to extend the shield from arrest were unsuccessful. The court’s decision effectively cleared the way for law enforcement agencies to take action against him if required.
According to reports, multiple FIRs have been registered against Khan at Falta Police Station in South 24 Parganas. Investigators are examining allegations linked to various incidents that occurred before and after the election period. While police have not released detailed information regarding all the charges, officials confirmed that the cases remain under active investigation.
Khan had also become a prominent figure in state political discourse because of his public remarks during the election campaign. His comments referencing the popular film character “Pushpa” attracted significant media attention and sparked political exchanges between rival parties. Supporters projected him as a strong local leader, while opponents accused him of fostering a climate of intimidation in the constituency. These allegations became a recurring issue during the election campaign and in subsequent political debates.
The arrest is expected to have political repercussions in West Bengal, particularly in South 24 Parganas, where the Falta constituency remained one of the most closely watched seats during the assembly elections. Political observers believe the development could further intensify the ongoing confrontation between the ruling establishment and opposition parties over law-and-order issues and the conduct of elections in the state.
With Khan now in custody, investigators are likely to question him regarding the pending cases and his movements after the election results. Police officials have indicated that legal procedures will be followed before he is produced before a court. Further details are expected to emerge once the STF completes its preliminary interrogation and submits its findings to the appropriate authorities.This draft is approximately 700 words and rewritten in original news style based on current reports.
