A local court in West Bengals North 24 Parganas district on Sunday gave an eight-day police remand to arrested TMC leader Shibu Prasad Hazra, one of the three prime accused in the alleged mass sexual assault and grabbing of tribal peoples land cases in trouble-torn Sandeshkhali.
The Basirhat sub-divisional court pronounced the order after the prosecution produced Hazra, a block-level leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress, who was arrested on Saturday.
He has been charged with sexual harassment and attempt to murder cases under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Basirhat Superintendent of Police HM Rehman told reporters that Hazra was arrested following a statement given by a woman victim before a magistrate court in N 24 Parganas district.
Another prime accused and alleged mastermind in the crimes, Sahjahan Sheikh was still evading arrest. Rehman, however, clarified there was no complaint against Sahjahan.
Several women of Sandeshkhali, however, have claimed before mediapersons that Sahjahan was the mastermind in cases of alleged sexual abuses and forcible grabbing of land belonging to the tribal people in the area.
Another accused Uttam Sardar, arrested last week after the TMC suspended him from the party, was again remanded to police custody on Saturday.
(With UNI inputs)
