Falta Police Station storming: 15 held, hunt on for Jahangir Khan's wife Regina Bibi
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Diamond Harbour District Police arrested seven more persons on 18 June in connection with the attempted storming of Falta Police Station in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 15. The mob, reportedly led by Regina Bibi — wife of arrested All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Jahangir Khan — had attempted to break into the police station on 16 June to free Khan from custody.
Key Developments
With the fresh seven arrests, the tally of those in custody stands at 15. Eight accused had been detained in the preceding days. Regina Bibi, who remains at large, now faces additional charges under the Arms Act, 1959 and the Explosives Act, 1884, according to district police insiders. She has been identified by investigators as the principal organiser of the attack.
How the Attack Was Planned
During interrogation of the eight persons arrested earlier, police established that the conspiracy was hatched at a secret meeting convened by Regina Bibi on Monday — the day before the storming attempt. 'It was decided in that meeting that supporters would gather at a specific location, about three kilometres from Falta police station. A plan was to suddenly storm the police station in an organised manner from there and rescue Jahangir Khan,' a district police officer said.
The violent mob's attempt was foiled by a combined deployment of state police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, who resorted to a baton charge to disperse the crowd.
Who Is Jahangir Khan
Jahangir Khan was the TMC candidate from Falta in the recently concluded Assembly elections. He was once described as the 'terror and the final word' in the area, according to local accounts — a characterisation that underscores the political weight his detention carries in the district.
What the Chief Minister Ordered
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Falta on Wednesday and, while addressing a public programme, directed the Diamond Harbour Police district to invoke strong provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against those involved in the attack. He further ordered authorities to confiscate the properties of the accused and subsequently put them up for auction — a directive that signals the administration's intent to go beyond routine criminal proceedings.
What Happens Next
Police are actively hunting for Regina Bibi, with her absconding status and the additional charges under arms and explosives legislation raising the stakes of her capture. Further arrests are expected as the investigation widens. The case has drawn sharp attention to the law-and-order situation in South 24 Parganas and the political dynamics surrounding post-election violence in the district.