The Trinamool Congress on Thursday suspended Sheikh Shahjahan, the main accused of the Sandeshkhali case where several women have been sexually assaulted for days and their land was grabbed. Hours after his arrest by the West Bengal Police, the party announced the decision to suspend Shahjahan from the party for six years. Sheikh Shahjahan will lose all party posts that the TMC strongman used to hold. The decision came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to West Bengal.

In a press conference, Trinamool leaders Derek O’Brien, West Bengal minister Bratya Basu announced the decision and asserted that the West Bengal government was committed to upholding the rule of the law while the BJP was trying to create a disruption over the Sandeshkhali issue. Derek challenged the BJP to take action against tainted leader, former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh — now that Sandeshkhali became a Centre versus West Bengal and the BJP versus Trinamool issue.

Bratya Basu said Sheikh Shahjahan could not be arrested because of a court order which was earlier pointed out by Abhishek Bandyopadhyay. Hours after the restriction was lifted, West Bengal Police arrested Sheikh Shahjahan and not any central agency, Bratya Basu added.