BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari alleged on Wednesday that the absconding Trinamul Congress leader, Shahjahan Sheikh, had been picked up from Bermajur 2 panchayat on Tuesday night as part of a "deal" and was in the "safe custody" of police.

In a post on X, Adhikari wrote: "The Scoundrel of Sandeshkhali - Seikh Shahjahan is in the safe custody of Mamata Police since 12 am last night. He was taken away from the Bermajur - II Gram Panchayat area, after he managed to negotiate a deal with the Mamata Police, through influential mediators, that he would be taken care of properly while in Police and Judicial Custody..."

Trinamul spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said if Adhikari knew so much, he should give the details about Shahjahan's whereabouts to the ED and CBI. "Suvendu brought Shahjahan to Trinamul. He has a good bond with him...," Ghosh told journalists.