TMC Leader Jahangir Khan's Wife Sarina Bibi Arrested for 'Pre-Planned' Attack on Falta Police Station to Free Husband

New Delhi: In a major development, West Bengal Police on Saturday arrested Sarina Bibi, the wife of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Jahangir Khan, for allegedly orchestrating an attack on the Falta Police Station in an attempt to secure her husband's release from custody.

According to officials, fresh charges have been filed against her, including provisions under the Arms Act and the Explosives Act, and they also revealed that the attack was a "pre-planned conspiracy".

Further, they stated that Sarina Bibi played a key role in mobilising supporters and coordinating the protests, which later escalated into violence. Senior police officers confirmed that a large mob attempted to storm the Falta Police Station following Jahangir Khan's arrest earlier this month.

The objective of the attack, officials said, was to pressure authorities and facilitate Khan's escape from custody. In response, security forces were deployed in large numbers to bring the situation under control.

More Than 25 Arrested So Far

The crackdown has intensified in recent days, with the number of arrests steadily rising.

Officials said more than 25 people have been arrested so far in connection with the alleged attack on the police station. 

Earlier, the number of arrests had stood at eight before increasing to 15 and subsequently crossing 25 as the investigation expanded.

Further arrests are likely as police continue to identify individuals allegedly involved in the incident.

Jahangir Khan Arrested Near Nepal Border

The latest developments come days after the West Bengal Police's Special Task Force (STF) arrested Jahangir Khan near the Nepal border.

Khan, who had been absconding for several days, was apprehended during an early morning operation based on specific intelligence inputs. Investigators suspect he was attempting to flee to Nepal when he was intercepted by STF personnel.

The TMC leader had emerged as a controversial figure during the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections and the subsequent repoll in Falta.

The 'Pushpa' Drama

Jahangir Khan became a widely discussed political figure during the election campaign after comparing himself to ‘Pushpa’, the smuggler-turned-strongman character played by actor Allu Arjun in the popular ‘Pushpa’ films.

The controversy erupted after Ajay Pal Sharma, an Uttar Pradesh-cadre 'enounter specialist' IPS officer appointed by the Election Commission as a police observer in West Bengal, was compared by many to the fictional police character from the ‘Singham’ film franchise.

After raids were conducted by central forces and police at Khan's residence before the elections, led by Ajay Pal Sharma, the TMC leader questioned the police actions and its authority. Responding to the searches at his premises, Khan declared that if the police officer was a ‘lion’, then he is ‘Pushpa’ and would not bow before what he had described as the Election Commission's biased behaviour.

His ‘Jhukega Nahi’ remarks quickly became a major talking point in West Bengal politics during the election campaign.

Suvendu Adhikari's Warning

The BJP-TMC battle in Falta intensified after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari publicly targeted Jahangir Khan ahead of the Falta repoll. Addressing BJP workers in Falta on May 16, just five days before the repoll, Adhikari issued a stern warning without directly naming him.

"He is a designated most notorious criminal and I will personally handle his case. So-called Pushpa is my responsibility now," Adhikari said while addressing party workers. The Chief Minister also urged voters to ensure a BJP victory margin of more than one lakh votes in the constituency.

Why Falta Went For Repoll

The controversy surrounding Falta began during the final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on April 29. Multiple allegations of irregularities emerged from polling booths in the Falta constituency. Complaints were made regarding the use of perfume, ink and adhesive tape on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Responding to the allegations, Suvendu Adhikari demanded that the Election Commission order fresh polling in the constituency. After reviewing the complaints, the Election Commission too ordered a repoll in Falta while declaring results for the remaining 293 Assembly seats on May 4. The BJP went on to form the government in West Bengal with a decisive majority.

Jahangir Withdraws From Contest

The repoll in Falta was held on May 21. Just 48 hours before polling, Jahangir Khan announced his withdrawal from the election contest. Addressing a press conference, Khan said that his dream was to build a ‘golden Falta’ and claimed that CM Suvendu Adhikari had announced a special development package for the constituency.

However, because his withdrawal came only 48 hours before voting, his name and the Trinamool Congress symbol remained on the Electronic Voting Machines.

BJP Records Historic Victory

When the results were announced on May 24, the BJP secured a historic victory in Falta. BJP candidate Debangshu Panda won the seat by a record margin of 1,09,021 votes, surpassing the one-lakh-vote target publicly requested by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

The victory marked the BJP's highest winning margin in the 2026 Assembly elections, exceeding the party's previous record margin of 1,04,265 votes in Matigara-Naxalbari.

The BJP secured 71.2 per cent of the vote share in Falta, a significant increase from 36.7 per cent in 2021.

The CPI(M) emerged as the runner-up with more than 40,000 votes, while Khan finished fourth with only 7,783 votes despite his name remaining on the ballot.

Following the declaration of results on May 24, Jahangir Khan was rarely seen in public. He was reportedly missing  from both his residence and local party offices, leading to speculation about his whereabouts. Police later tracked his movements through intelligence inputs and eventually arrested him near the Nepal border.