Unravelling The Sandeshkhali Row: A Comprehensive Timeline Of Key Events - In Points

As the unrest in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali continues, in the latest on the Sandeshkhali row, Sheikh Shahjahan, the Trinamool Congress leader accused of sexual violence and land grab by several women in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, was arrested on Thursday morning after 55 days of absconding.

Notably, this comes after the state Governor CV Ananda Bose has requested the state government to submit a report within 72 hours if Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh, the man accused of sexual atrocities and land grab, remains unapprehended.

West Bengal's Sandeshkhali Unrest

Fresh protests were observed in the region on Monday as properties of local TMC leaders, accused of tormenting villagers, were ransacked by locals. Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district has been witnessing protests for the past few weeks over allegations of land grab and sexual atrocities on women by Sheikh and his supporters. Several persons, including Shibapada Hazra and Uttam Sardar, alleged associates of Sheikh, were arrested.

However, Sheikh himself has been evading the authorities since January 5, when officials of the Enforcement Directorate, who had gone to raid his premises at Sandeshkhali, were attacked.

Here's a timeline of events that unfolded in Sandeshkhali this year so far.

• January 5: A mob in Sandeshkhali attacks and forcibly removes officials from the Enforcement Directorate who were investigating Shahjahan Sheikh for an alleged ration distribution scam. This incident marks the beginning of tensions in the area.
• February 8: The unrest escalates as protesters set fire to three poultry farms owned by an associate of Shahjahan Sheikh. This action intensifies the ongoing protests and adds fuel to the already tense situation in Sandeshkhali.
• February 10: A case of molestation is filed against individuals named Hazra and Sardar, with Sardar subsequently being arrested. This legal development adds another layer to the growing complexity of the situation.
• February 12: Union Minister Smriti Irani makes a significant allegation, claiming that Hindu women in Sandeshkhali are being subjected to rape. This assertion adds a new dimension to the controversy, drawing national attention to the issue.
• February 17: Charges against Hazra and Sardar are heightened, now including accusations of gang rape and attempted murder. This escalation in legal proceedings underscores the severity of the alleged crimes.
• February 18: Following the increased charges, Hazra is arrested. Additionally, a total of eighteen individuals are arrested in connection with the case, indicating a significant law enforcement response to the unrest in Sandeshkhali.
• February 16: The Supreme Court agrees to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a court-monitored probe by either the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
• February 29: After evading authorities for 55 days, Shahjahan Sheikh, the Trinamool Congress leader accused of sexual violence and land grabbing, is finally arrested from the Minakhan area in North 24 Parganas. This arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing controversy.
• March 1-2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit West Bengal amid the Sandeshkhali controversy.