West Bengal: TMC strongman Jahangir Khan arrested

New Delhi, Jun 08, 2026 : Trinamool Congress strongman Jahangir Khan was arrested early this morning by the West Bengal Police. He was apprehended near the Nepal border. He was reportedly attempting to flee across the border when he was detained and brought back to Kolkata for further questioning.

The arrest comes in the wake of the Falta Assembly re-election held on 21st of last month. Just 48 hours before polling, Jahangir Khan dramatically withdrew from the contest, announcing at a press conference that he was stepping aside in support of a special development package promised by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Despite his withdrawal, Khan’s name remained on the ballot beside the Trinamool symbol and he finished fourth while BJP candidate winning the election.

Following the defeat, Khan disappeared from public view, absent from both his home and party office. His arrest today marks the end of weeks of speculation about his whereabouts. The arrest comes weeks after Calcutta High Court’s vacation bench refused to extend the interim protection in five FIRs granted to the TMC strongman. Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee referred the matter to a regular bench. Earlier, Khan was granted interim protection by Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya till 26st of last month, considering the re-polls there on May 21.

Considered close to Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee, Jahangir Khan was an influential leader of Falta in South 24 Parganas. After the change of regime in the State, several villagers had raised allegations of land grab and extortion against Jahangir Khan.