Kolkata: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shibu Prasad Hazra, who had been reported missing following allegations of systemic rape and sexual assault by women in Sandeshkhali, was apprehended on Saturday, February 17th. Hazra, identified as the TMC Block President, was implicated in the initial complaints alongside two others, Uttam Sardar and the primary accused, Sheikh Shajahan. He was arrested from a hideout in Sandeshkhali and is scheduled to appear before a local court on Sunday, facing charges of rape and other offenses under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Police disclosed that Hazra, along with another TMC member, has been accused of rape and sexual abuse by women in Sandeshkhali. This marks the second significant arrest in the case, following the apprehension of Uttam Sardar by the West Bengal Police. However, the main accused, Sheikh Shajahan, remains at large. To date, a total of 18 individuals have been arrested in connection with various allegations, including land grabbing, institutional rape, and sexual assault, as raised by local women in Sandeshkhali.

Furthermore, following a survivor's statement given before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the police have expanded the charges to include Sections 376D (gangrape) and 307 (attempt to murder). During a press conference on Saturday, West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar announced the inclusion of rape charges in the First Information Report (FIR). He explained that although no allegations were made by a woman during police interviews, she later provided a statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

Regarding the criticism from the opposition, State Police DG Rajeev Kumar attributed blame to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), questioning why the central agency had not apprehended Sheikh Shajahan following the attack on its personnel in Sandeshkhali. He asserted that when the state police initiated an investigation against the accused, the ED halted its own investigation.

The DG clarified that no complaints had been received from Sandeshkhali before February 8th, adding, "Since then, we have received all complaints, and everything is being investigated. The women of Sandeshkhali can approach the police without fear and express their views."

Sandeshkhali has been embroiled in tension since January, when local women staged protests demanding the arrest of Sheikh Shajahan and his associates. Allegations include forcible land acquisition, salting fields to render them unusable, and engaging in institutional sexual harassment. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), following its visit to Sandeshkhali, submitted a report recommending President's rule in the state due to rampant lawlessness.

NCSC Chairperson Arun Halder conveyed that the President had assured the NCSC team of action following their report. However, the team allegedly faced misconduct from several police officials when attempting to meet with sexual assault victims in Sandeshkhali. Halder criticized the collaboration between criminals and the state government.

A BJP central team visited Sandeshkhali, but a Congress delegation's visit was yet to take place. The BJP delegation, led by the party's national president, JP Nadda, was halted by West Bengal police. Earlier, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose submitted a report to the Ministry of Home Affairs, attributing responsibility to the state police for colluding with "rowdy elements" in Sandeshkhali, following the protests. The report highlighted calls from local residents for the establishment of either a Special Task Force or a Special Investigation Team to probe allegations of sexual harassment involving TMC leaders.

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