Kolkata: Troubles have deepened for arrested TMC Falta strongman Jahangir Khan’s wife Sarika Khan as police added provisions of the Arms Act and Explosives Act to the case registered against her in connection with the violent protests that she had led outside the police station on Tuesday.Police teams, under the supervision of the district’s new SP, are conducting extensive raids to trace Sarika who is absconding. Investigators are also gathering intelligence from areas including Metiabruz, Budge Budge and parts of the Kolkata Police jurisdiction.During the raids across the district, eight more persons were arrested on Wednesday, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 16.According to sources in the police, the attack on the police station was planned by Jahangir’s wife as she was livid over the manner in which her husband was being publicly paraded with a rope tied around his waist. She was also opposed to him being referred to as “Pushpa”, although it was Jahangir who had called himself by that name.A section of the police believes that the violence witnessed on Tuesday was not merely aimed at securing Jahangir’s release but was a planned assault on police and central paramilitary personnel. Cops are examining whether weapons and explosive materials were used during the attack.CM Suvendu Adhikari, who reportedly viewed footage of the violence while attending a programme in Kurseong, expressed shock. Within 24 hours, he attended a govt programme in Falta and issued a stern warning, describing the violence allegedly led by a woman to secure Jahangir’s release as an “unpardonable offence”.Addressing the gathering, he instructed director general of police Siddhinath Gupta to invoke stringent provisions of BNS and ensure strict legal action against those involved.Following the announcement on Wednesday, police added charges under the Arms Act and Explosives Act against Jahangir’s wife. Both laws carry stringent, non-bailable provisions, with punishments ranging from three years’ imprisonment to life imprisonment and, in exceptional cases, even the death penalty, depending on the nature and gravity of the offence.
