TMC leader Jahangir Khan arrested near Nepal border in extortion case
Synopsis
A TMC strongman known as 'Pushpa' who filed — then withdrew — his by-election nomination in Falta has been caught trying to flee India near the Nepal border. The arrest by West Bengal's STF caps a multi-day manhunt and reopens scrutiny of alleged EVM tampering, extortion, and the political connections shielding him.
Key Takeaways
Jahangir Khan , TMC leader from Falta ( Diamond Harbour ), was arrested by the West Bengal STF near the India-Nepal border on 8 June .
He was allegedly attempting to flee India when apprehended on a tip-off in North Bengal .
Cases against him include extortion , intimidation , and EVM tampering in the South 24 Parganas constituency.
Khan, popularly called 'Pushpa' , had filed and then withdrawn his nomination for the Falta by-election 48 hours before polling.
He is reportedly close to TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and had previously received High Court protection in a 2019 case.
Khan will be produced before a Kolkata court and questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Jahangir Khan, who had been absconding from law enforcement for several days, was arrested by the West Bengal Police Special Task Force (STF) near the India-Nepal border on Monday, 8 June, in connection with an extortion case, officials confirmed. The arrest ends a prolonged manhunt for the Falta constituency figure, who faced multiple criminal investigations.
How the Arrest Unfolded
The STF acted on a tip-off and apprehended Jahangir Khan near the India-Nepal border in North Bengal, where, according to police, he was attempting to flee the country. He has since been brought to Kolkata and is set to be produced before a court as part of the ongoing investigation.
According to officials, Khan had been absconding since multiple cases were registered against him and his associates. Investigators tracked his movements over several days before detaining him at the border. The cases against him include allegations of extortion, intimidation, and EVM tampering in the South 24 Parganas constituency.
Who Is Jahangir Khan
Jahangir Khan, popularly known by the nickname 'Pushpa' during the Bengal Assembly elections, is a TMC strongman from the Falta area of Diamond Harbour. He is reportedly close to TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. A case was also filed against him in 2019, in which he had received protection from the High Court.
Khan had filed his nomination for the Falta by-election but withdrew from the contest 48 hours before polling. At a press conference following his withdrawal, he said, 'My dream was for a golden Falta. That is why our honourable Chief Minister (Shuvendu Adhikari) is giving a special package for the development of Falta. That is why I distanced myself from the re-election contest on May 21.'
Falta's Volatile Political Climate
The Falta constituency has been a flashpoint in recent elections, with local residents complaining of intimidation and violent threats. The situation had sharply polarised the TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), triggering a sustained war of words between the two camps.
Notably, the reference to Shuvendu Adhikari as 'Chief Minister' in Khan's press conference statement appears inconsistent with the current political reality in West Bengal — a detail that investigators and political observers are likely to scrutinise further.
What Happens Next
Khan will be produced before a court in Kolkata and questioned by the STF as investigations continue. The arrest is being described by officials as a key breakthrough in a case that had drawn significant attention given the accused's political profile and the severity of the charges.
Point of View
Withdrawn it days before polling, and then gone underground suggests a calculated attempt to exploit electoral processes as cover. The fact that he previously secured High Court protection in a 2019 case raises questions about how repeat accused with political affiliations navigate the legal system. With the TMC-BJP rivalry in Falta already inflamed, this arrest will be weaponised by both sides — but the harder question is whether the investigation will reach the networks that allegedly enabled Khan's activities, or stop at the individual.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jahangir Khan and why was he arrested?
Jahangir Khan is a Trinamool Congress leader from the Falta area of Diamond Harbour, West Bengal, popularly known as 'Pushpa'. He was arrested on 8 June by the West Bengal STF near the India-Nepal border in connection with cases including extortion, intimidation, and alleged EVM tampering in South 24 Parganas.
Where exactly was Jahangir Khan arrested?
He was apprehended near the India-Nepal border in North Bengal, where police say he was attempting to flee the country. The STF acted on a tip-off to detain him at the border.
What is the connection between Jahangir Khan and the Falta by-election?
Khan had filed his nomination to contest the Falta by-election but withdrew 48 hours before polling. At a press conference, he cited the Chief Minister's development package for Falta as his reason for stepping back from the contest.
Has Jahangir Khan faced legal trouble before?
Yes. A case was filed against him in 2019 as well, in which he reportedly received protection from the High Court. He is also said to be close to TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
What happens next in the case?
Khan has been brought to Kolkata and will be produced before a court. The STF will question him as part of ongoing investigations into extortion, intimidation, and EVM tampering charges against him and his associates.
