What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI : The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has suspended its strongman leader from Sandeshkhali, Sheikh Shahjahan, for six years following his arrest in connection with the mob attack on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team. The decision was announced by TMC leader Derek O’Brien on Thursday, hours after Shahjahan was taken into custody by the West Bengal police.
Shahjahan, who is also the chairman of the Sandeshkhali Panchayat Samiti, has been accused of leading a violent mob that assaulted and injured four ED officials, who had gone to his residence to conduct a raid on February 26. The ED team was probing a money laundering case against Shahjahan and his associates, who were allegedly involved in illegal coal mining and cattle smuggling.
READ MORE : TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan arrested after 50-day manhunt
The suspension of Shahjahan comes at a crucial time for the TMC, as it faces a tough electoral battle against the BJP in the upcoming assembly polls in West Bengal. The incident has also raised questions about the law and order situation in the state and the alleged involvement of TMC leaders in criminal activities. Meanwhile, the women wrestlers who have filed a sexual harassment case against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh have demanded that the BJP should also take action against him and expel him from the party.
Singh, who is a six-time MP from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh, has been charged by the Delhi police with offences under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. He is accused of sexually harassing and molesting several women wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, during national and international tournaments between 2012 and 2023.
A Delhi court has reserved its order on whether to frame charges against Singh and his co-accused, former WFI official Vinod Tomar, for March 15. The complainants and the police have submitted that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the trial, while Singh and Tomar have sought to be discharged from the case.
One of the complainants, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the BJP should not shield Singh and should take strict action against him. “He has ruined the lives and careers of many women wrestlers. He has abused his power and position to exploit us. He should not be allowed to continue as an MP and a leader of the BJP. The BJP should suspend him and expel him from the party, just like the TMC has done with Shahjahan,” she said.
Another complainant, who also requested anonymity, said that Singh’s case was more serious than Shahjahan’s, as he had violated the dignity and rights of women. “Shahjahan may have attacked the ED officials, but Singh has attacked the honour and dignity of women. He has sexually harassed and stalked us, threatened us, and tried to silence us. He has no moral authority to be an MP and a leader of the BJP. The BJP should take action against him and show that it respects women and their safety,” she said.
The BJP has not yet commented on the allegations against Singh or the demand for his suspension. Singh has denied the charges and claimed that he is being framed by his political rivals.
