Tension escalated as the crowd moved from outside Khan's residence towards the police station—which was being guarded by central forces.
Eight people have been arrested for allegedly attempting to storm the Falta police station in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district and free TMC leader Jahangir Khan. Videos purposed to show protesters fleeing and jumping into nearby water bodies after being chased by police went viral on social media.
According to the police, Khan's wife was the alleged mastermind behind the plan. Legal action against her, including her possible arrest, could follow depending on the outcome of the investigation.
A demonstration was planned by Jahangir Khan's supporters on Tuesday. Intelligence assets found out that the protest would turn violent and the police station would come under attack. Acting on this specific input, security forces were deployed in advance to thwart any such attempt, a senior police official told news agency PTI.
"We had information that a section of the crowd was planning to attack the police station during the demonstration and snatch away the accused. Adequate security arrangements were made beforehand, and timely action by police and central forces prevented any such attempt," a senior police official told PTI.
Supporters of Khan, currently in judicial custody, gathered in large numbers in Falta's Shatol Kolsa area and staged protests before marching towards the police station.
Police claimed that Khan's wife had been mobilising supporters since Monday. An FIR has been registered against her in connection with the incident.
According to investigators, several complaints against Khan's wife have surfaced during the probe.
Khan, who called himself 'Pushpa'—inspired by the Allu Arjun-starrer Telugu blockbuster—was arrested near the India–Nepal border in North Bengal on June 8 after he was booked under various charges, including extortion.
Since his arrest, police have conducted a series of operations in Falta aimed at dismantling his alleged criminal network and restoring law and order in the region.
Police said the investigation is continuing and further arrests could be made.
