Dipaneeta Das
Trinamool Congress leader Jahangir Khan was paraded through parts of Falta in South 24 Parganas by police on Sunday, days after his arrest in connection with extortion and intimidation cases. During the march, Khan was seen walking barefoot and apologising to local residents with folded hands as police personnel escorted him through the area.
Videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, showing the former Falta bypoll candidate seeking forgiveness from locals while moving through neighbourhoods where he had once wielded considerable influence. The police-led exercise was carried out as part of the investigation and reconstruction of events linked to multiple cases registered against him.
Khan, often referred to as the “Pushpa of Falta” by supporters and critics alike, was arrested near the India-Nepal border on June 8 after remaining on the run for several days. The arrest was made by the West Bengal Police's Special Task Force (STF) following a manhunt across the state.
Police had earlier taken Khan through parts of Falta in connection with the probe, including visits to locations linked to the allegations against him. Investigators also conducted searches at premises associated with the Trinamool leader as part of the ongoing inquiry.
The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of Khan, who withdrew from the Falta Assembly bypoll shortly before voting but remained a prominent political figure in the constituency. His arrest and subsequent public appearances under police custody have triggered sharp political reactions and drawn significant public attention across West BengalOfficials have not commented on the duration of the questioning or the next steps in the investigation. Multiple cases, including allegations of extortion and voter intimidation, are currently under probe.
