Court Remands Arrested TMC Leader Jahangir Khan To Five Days’ Custody

A court on Tuesday remanded Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Jahangir Khan to five days of police custody in connection with multiple cases of alleged extortion and related charges registered against him at Falta police station. The Diamond Harbour sub-divisional court passed the order after the prosecution sought custodial interrogation, citing seven First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against Khan. He was arrested on Monday near the India–Nepal border in the Panitanki area of North Bengal, following weeks of legal and political developments surrounding his case.

According to officials, Khan’s arrest comes amid ongoing investigations into allegations of extortion and other offences. His legal troubles intensified after the Calcutta High Court withdrew interim protection from coercive action that had earlier been granted to him, paving the way for law enforcement authorities to proceed with arrest and further investigation. Khan had recently contested the Falta assembly repoll held on May 21, where he finished fourth. His candidacy itself had been marked by controversy, as he had initially announced his withdrawal from the contest just days before polling, only to remain involved in the electoral process following court proceedings.

The sequence of legal interventions included an interim protection order granted by the Calcutta High Court on May 18, which allowed him to participate in campaigning and the repoll process. However, he publicly declared his withdrawal the following day, adding complexity to the electoral and legal developments that followed. During Tuesday’s proceedings, Khan was produced before the court under heavy security deployment, amid apprehensions of public protest.

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Authorities had reportedly taken precautions after earlier incidents in which angered supporters and local residents targeted the TMC leader’s party office in Falta. Security restrictions were also imposed inside the courtroom, with members of the public barred from entering during the hearing. The situation was further complicated by the absence of representation from the Diamond Harbour Court Bar Association, prompting the judge to appoint a legal aid advocate to represent Khan during the proceedings.

The court’s decision to grant police custody is expected to allow investigators to question Khan in detail regarding the allegations listed in the FIRs. The case is likely to draw continued political attention, given Khan’s association with the ruling party in West Bengal and the broader scrutiny of criminal allegations involving political figures in the state. Further hearings are expected after the completion of the five-day custodial period, when investigators will submit updates on the progress of the inquiry and decide on subsequent legal steps.

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