Trinamool Congress functionary and Falta candidate Jahangir Khan, widely known by his nickname 'Pushpa' during the assembly election, was paraded through the Falta and Saharahat areas of South 24 Parganas on Thursday. The Diamond Harbour Police escorted him while he was dressed in Bermudas and a T-shirt.
Arrest and Charges
Khan was arrested on Monday after evading capture for two weeks. He faces multiple charges, including extortion, post-poll violence dating back to 2021, and atrocities against local communities. At least seven active First Information Reports (FIRs) are registered against him at the Falta Police Station.
Crime Scene Reconstruction
According to Diamond Harbour Police sources, Khan was taken to identify crime spots and locations where he allegedly hid his ill-gotten wealth. A senior police officer stated, 'We also wanted to reconstruct the crime.' The parading was part of this process.
Khan was arrested near the India-Nepal border in Panitanki, north Bengal. A court in Diamond Harbour had earlier granted five days of police custody. During the parade on Thursday, police ensured there was no 'egg attack' or any violent incident, following public outrage when news of his arrest broke on Monday. Enraged locals and youth groups had stormed his party office, breaking locks and forcing open shutters.
High Court Directive
The Calcutta High Court's vacation bench had earlier directed police to file a detailed report in cases where accused persons were stripped, heads forcefully shaven, and paraded with ropes around their waists. The bench observed that no accused person should be defamed in such a manner. The Diamond Harbour police stated they complied with the High Court directive.
Election Withdrawal and Aftermath
Just 48 hours before the May 21 repoll, Khan suddenly announced his withdrawal from the race and disappeared. Despite his eleventh-hour withdrawal, his name and the Trinamool Congress symbol remained on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The election resulted in a humiliating defeat for Khan; the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the seat by a landslide margin of approximately 1.1 lakh votes, while the Communist Party of India (Marxist) secured second place. Khan finished a dismal fourth, managing only 7,783 votes.
