TMC leader Jahangir Khan sent to 5-day police custody after his arrest in Bengal

Kolkata: A court in West Bengal has sent Jahangir Khan, a leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), to five days of police custody in connection with an extortion investigation.

The police sought custodial interrogation after producing Khan before the court following his arrest. Investigators told the court that further questioning was necessary to gather evidence and advance the probe.

TMC leader Jahangir Khan arrested near India-Nepal border in extortion case

Arrest Near India-Nepal Border

Khan was arrested a day earlier from an area near the India-Nepal border in north Bengal. Police officials confirmed the arrest but did not disclose detailed operational information regarding how he was tracked down.

The arrest came shortly after the Calcutta High Court vacated interim protection previously granted to the TMC leader. According to reports, seven FIRs had been registered against him at Falta police station in South 24 Parganas district.

Office Ransacked After Arrest

Soon after news of his arrest surfaced, angry locals allegedly vandalised Khan’s office in Falta. Furniture and windowpanes were reportedly damaged during the incident.

Police officials said an investigation into the vandalism would also be conducted. Reports claimed that packets of relief materials were found inside the office, triggering public anger among residents who accused Khan’s associates of withholding supplies meant for local distribution.

Falta Repolling: Voter turnout hits 86%; Jahangir Khan didn’t vote, says poll officer

Political Fallout After Election Defeat

Jahangir Khan had contested the recent West Bengal Assembly bypoll from the Falta constituency but later withdrew his nomination before repolling. The Trinamool Congress had criticised his move, while opposition leaders mocked him over the decision.

The BJP eventually secured a massive victory in the constituency. Khan finished fourth in the repolling with a low vote count, marking a significant political setback.

What Happens Next?

After the completion of the five-day custody period, Khan will be produced before the court again. The court will then decide whether police custody should be extended or if other legal proceedings will follow based on the progress of the investigation.