“We have decided to suspend Shahjahan Sheikh from the party for six years. As always, we walk the talk. We have set examples in the past, and we are doing that again today,” O’Brien said.

The TMC strongman in Sandeshkhali had been on the run for the last 55 days, and was arrested by the West Bengal Police early on Thursday. He was sent to police custody for 10 days by a local court.

Following his court appearance, the TMC leader was brought to the CID headquarters at Bhavani Bhawan in Kolkata. According to sources, the case is likely to be handed over to the CID.

Sheikh and his aides are among the key accused in cases of land grab and sexual harassment that surfaced following violent protests in Sandeshkhali island of North 24 Parganas district. He had been absconding since January 5 after a team of ED officials was attacked by a mob of his supporters near his residence in Sandeshkhali.