Shahjahan Sheikh, the main accused in the Sandeshkhali atrocities against women, was arrested by the West Bengal state police within 24 hours of the Calcutta High Court giving a free hand to CBI and ED.
Sandeshkhali — a name that resonated in the dailies across the nation — was in the lead headlines when Sheikh was arrested by the West Bengal Police in the early hours of Thursday.
The development appeared like a much-awaited outcome of a suspense-action-riddled event, which has been developing since January 5, when the Enforcement Directorate officials were attacked by a mob when they went to raid Shahjahan’s premises as part of a probe in connection to the ration scam.
There is little doubt that the high-octane drama surrounding Sandeshkhali appeared like the Bharatiya Janata Party’s move to shift the focus from the farmer’s protest.
The arrest of Shahjahan, too, within 24 hours of the Calcutta High Court giving a free hand to the central investigative agencies — CBI and ED — to arrest the culprit underscores the State’s promptness to not let the BJP take the credit for solving the matter.
Notably, the developments that unfurled in the run-up to the arrest, find substance in the primary opposition’s claim of calling the turn of events 'scripted'.
It was February 26, when the Trinamool Congress had set a deadline of seven days to arrest Shahjahan and on February 29, he is nabbed by the state police, at the backdrop of another development— the BJP was setting the stage for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to show up on March 1.
The state BJP leaders were doing a two-day sit-in demonstration, which was to end today.
Now, when the opposition leaders are denoting the culmination of the issue to be scripted, it reminds one of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee’s statement where she had accused the BJP of ‘scripting’ the Sandeshkhali incident for political gains.
Banerjee was speaking at an event in the Birbhum district of the state when one of the associates of Shahjahan, Shibu Hazra, was already booked. “The incident was made to happen, so it has taken place. They are trying to disrupt the peaceful decorum of the state,” said Banerjee.
West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee levelled allegations brought by the BJP to be baseless and hailed the TMC for never supporting any injustice. However, the chronology of events leaves room for speculation.
From the perspective of the TMC, justice is delayed, not denied to the victims of Sandeshkhali.
The BJP, on the contrary, certainly missed an opportunity as PM Modi’s robust speech — if he comes to Bengal tomorrow — will be a miss out on a primary topic, Sandeshkhali.
While it is unfair for the fourth pillar of democracy to suggest who ‘scripted’ the Sandeshkhali story, with its culmination coming to a close, which political party will be able to reap political dividends will give the impression that whether Sandeshkhali was a missed target for the BJP or TMC sailed against the odds.
How it happened?
5th Jan: ED officials attacked by goons in Sandeshkhali.
7th Jan: Women hold protests on atrocities against women.
26th February: West Bengal Governor gives 72 hours deadline for Shajahan Sheikh's arrest.
27th February: Calcutta HC permits central agencies to search for Sheikh.
29th February: Shahjahan Sheikh arrested by West Bengal police.
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