Trinamool strongman Tajemul Islam aka JCB, arrested on Sunday for publicly flogging a couple over an alleged extramarital affair, was on Monday remanded in five days’ police custody by a court in Islampur, North Dinajpur.

Police had filed a suo motu case and arrested Tajemul after a video of a man resembling him beating the couple with a stick in Chopra’s Lakshmipur gram panchayat went viral.

Charges under IPC Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty), 307 (attempt to murder) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) have been brought against Tajemul, a police officer said.

Sources said the police had cited 12 old cases, including one of murder, pending against Tajemul in the court while drawing up the charges.

Tajemul Islam (right) being brought to the Islampur court on Monday. Picture by Kousik Sen

Joby Thomas, the superintendent of Islampur police district, said: “We are trying to identify those who were present at the spot with Tajemul Islam during the incident. Our officers will interrogate him to gather more information.”

The incident has prompted the saffron ecosystem to train its guns at chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her party. On Monday, several BJP parliamentarians, including actress-turned-MP Kangana Ranaut, took potshots at Mamata and Trinamool.

“I want to know from Mamata didi as to whether in Bengal you can implement your own law while being vocal about the Indian Constitution in Parliament,” Ranaut said.

While the BJP national leadership raised a Sandeshkhali-like outcry over Chopra, BJP women legislators, led by Agnimitra Paul, staged a dharna in front of the Assembly to protest the “atrocities” unleashed by Tajemul and questioned Mamata’s silence.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a statement saying it had taken cognisance of the incident.

“The NHRC has issued notices to the chief secretary and the DGP of the state, seeking a report on the incident. Also, the DGP has been asked to constitute a team headed by a senior superintendent of police that will visit Chopra to conduct an inquiry on the spot. The team will have to submit a report to the NHRC,” a source said.

Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, castigated by Trinamool for allegedly delaying the oath-taking ceremony of two newly elected ruling party MLAs, has sought a report from the state home department.

Raj Bhavan officials said the governor had been shocked by the “barbaric” incident and expressed concern over the law-and-order situation in the state.

The Telegraph delved into Tajemul’s past to trace his political rise and learn how he had earned the moniker "JCB".

“Chopra is an area where the TMC has absolute control. No other party has the courage to carry out political activities. Such control has bolstered the confidence of a section of TMC leaders like JCB who believe in delivering justice their own way, even by blatantly violating the law,” said Anwarul Haque, secretary of the CPM's North Dinajpur unit.

Tajemul, sources said, was considered close to the Left before switching allegiance to Trinamool after Mamata romped to power in 2011.

His gradual rise to a position of political authority in the area owed to his proximity to Chopra Trinamool MLA Hamidul Rahaman. His increasing political clout and strong-arm tactics earned him the nickname JCB.

“He got the name JCB (after a company that makes bulldozers) because of his activities. Across Chopra, he and his associates are known for violence, for crushing people's voice and political opposition at any cost. It is tough for people to muster the courage and build up resistance against him,” Haque added.

A Trinamool leader said Tajemul had become a “law unto himself” and that disobeying him had led to the “JCB-like action” against the couple at the “salishi sabha (kangaroo court)”.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the Trinamool leader said Tajemul’s ability to "control the votes" in the region had won him the patronage of senior party leaders.

Talking to reporters, local MLA Rahaman almost condoned Tajemul and accused the woman of infidelity.

“Tajemul has erred but the woman is also at fault. She should not have entered into an extra-marital relationship,” he said.

A resident of Lakshmipur village, where the incident happened on June 28, said Tajemul’s word was law in large parts of Chopra.

“In case JCB comes to know about any aberration, he holds a kangaroo court -- something he calls 'insaaf sabha' (a meeting to deliver justice). No one dares oppose him. That's why, even though he was beating the couple mercilessly, no one came forward to stop him,” he said.

Residents of the village cited the alleged murder of a CPM worker on June 15 last year.

They said a group of CPM workers were heading towards the BDO's office in Chopra with candidates to file nominations for the panchayat elections. They were allegedly accosted and attacked by Tajemul and his goons.

"Bombs were hurled and gunshots fired. A CPM worker died and JCB was the principal accused. Even then, no steps were taken against him. He has several other cases pending against him,” a resident said.

Rahaman's belief in absolute control was also evident ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. At a public meeting, he had told Trinamool leaders and workers that they would have to ensure that the party received at least 90 per cent votes in each booth of Chopra Assembly constituency.

“There is no opposition in Chopra, whoever fails to gather 90 per cent votes for us will face the consequences,” Rahaman had said.

The residents said there were instances of people being “fined” or beaten up for putting up a flag of a political party other than that of Trinamool.

“Even if one opens a new shop or starts a new business, JCB and his associates have to be paid,” one of them said.

However, the viral video has jolted the police into action. The state police have served a showcause notice on the inspector in charge of Chopra police station, sources said.

With the incident coming just a few months after the Sandeshkhali controversy, district Trinamool leaders tasked with damage control said the law would take its own course.

"We will not stand by him. The police are probing the case and doing the needful," said Kanaialal Agarwala, North Dinajpur Trinamool president.