Sheikh Shahjahan, the Trinamool Congress leader accused of sexual violence and land grab by several women in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, was arrested on Thursday morning after 55 days of absconding.  He was arrested from a house in Minakhan in North 24 Parganas district where he was hiding, reported PTI quoting police.

He was promptly escorted to the Basirhat court following his arrest. The authorities had been closely monitoring his movements for an extended period leading up to his apprehension.

Supratim Sarkar, ADG South Bengal, later informed the media that Shahjahan was arrested in connection with the case related to the attack on ED officials.

"Shahjahan was arrested late on Wednesday night from Bamanpukur area at Minakhan in North 24 Parganas. He was arrested in connection with the case related to an attack on ED officials on January 5. He was one of the principal accused in the case. Several other cases have been lodged against him after protests broke out in Sandeshkhali earlier this month. Those are being investigated," Sarkar said.

The arrest comes three days after the Calcutta High Court pulled up the state police for the delay in taking action against the Trinamool leader and stated that "he should be arrested".

Following the arrest, Section 144 has been imposed in Sandeshkhali, including Sarberia and Akunjipara areas near Sheikh Shahjahan's residence.

Sandeshkhali has been a flashpoint since the past month when several women came out and levelled allegations of "land-grab and sexual assault" under coercion against Shahjahan and his supporters. 

They also accused Shahjahan and his supporters of coercing villagers to withdraw complaints lodged by victims to the police. The women have also alleged non-payment of dues and a close nexus between criminals and the police.  

Shahjahan was on the run following the attack on Enforcement Directorate officials in Sandeshkhali last month.

The West Bengal government had been facing the heat as the TMC strongman evaded arrest for weeks.

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