From 'Pushpa' dare to police custody: Abhishek Banerjee's close aide Jahangir Khan arrested near Nepal border

Jahangir, considered a close aide of Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, was arrested by the West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) in connection with multiple FIRs involving allegations of electoral malpractice, including tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the Assembly elections in the Falta constituency, where he was the party's candidate.

He has been accused of placing tape over the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) symbol on EVMs during polling in the South 24 Parganas constituency.

According to reports, the TMC leader was apprehended near the Nepal border after remaining on the run for several weeks.

Jahangir's embarrassment in Falta repoll

The Election Commission of India had ordered a repoll in the Falta constituency following allegations of EVM tampering.

Ahead of the May 21 repoll, Jahangir embarrassed his party by announcing his withdrawal from the contest.

However, his name remained on the EVMs as the deadline for withdrawal had already passed.

Once regarded as a strongman in the region, Jahangir finished fourth in the repoll, trailing candidates from both the Left Front and Congress.

The BJP went on to register a landslide victory in the seat.

'Pushpa' challenge ends in arrest

Jahangir had earlier compared himself to "Pushpa", the fictional character portrayed by actor Allu Arjun, while responding to warnings from police observer Ajay Pal Sharma over allegations of voter intimidation ahead of the original polling date.

Concerned over the Y-category security cover provided to Khan, Sharma had reportedly warned the TMC leader and his associates that any further complaints of voter intimidation would invite strict action from the authorities.

His arrest now marks a significant development in the post-election crackdown on leaders facing allegations of poll-related misconduct.