Police arrest Jahangir Khan's close aide ahead of CM Suvendu Adhikari's rally in Falta

Police arrested Saidul Khan, vice-president of the Falta Panchayat Samiti and a Trinamool Congress leader considered close to party candidate Jahangir Khan, ahead of the re-election in the Falta Assembly constituency scheduled for May 21. According to police sources, multiple allegations including threats, abduction, assault and attempted murder were brought against him. Police said the arrest was made on Friday night during an investigation based on complaints filed by two individuals.

The Election Commission ordered re-polling in all 285 booths of the Falta Assembly constituency after complaints emerged regarding several polling booths during the state Assembly elections held on April 29. Saidul Khan, who is also the brother-in-law of Jahangir Khan, was known locally as a close associate and key political aide of the Trinamool Congress candidate from the constituency. Police sources alleged that after Jahangir Khan became the party candidate, Saidul continued threatening BJP leaders and workers in the area.

According to the complaints, several individuals were allegedly abducted and assaulted, while attempts were also allegedly made to kill some of them. Police sources stated that allegations were raised that efforts were being made under Saidul’s leadership to create political intimidation in the locality ahead of the re-election. BJP candidate Debangshu Panda alleged that Saidul was involved in extortion, intimidation and disturbances during polling day and claimed local residents welcomed the arrest. Denying the allegations, Jahangir Khan alleged that Saidul had been falsely implicated in politically motivated cases.

In a separate development, police arrested Uttam Das, brother of Trinamool MLA Paresh Ram Das and a local TMC leader from Canning, from the Mithakhali area on Friday night. Police sources said allegations against him included assault, intimidation and attempted murder in connection with an alleged shooting incident during a BJP rally on May 4 in which one BJP worker was injured. Police also arrested Hafizul Molla, head of Deuli No. 1 Gram Panchayat under Jibantala police station area, and his associate Shahjahan Molla over allegations including assault and attempted murder related to an incident involving a resident from Bhangar.