ISF MLA Nawsad Siddique on Wednesday accused the state government of mentally torturing him in jail custody in the absence of any “substantive evidence” against him.

Claiming that the Trinamul-led state government hatched a conspiracy to keep him in custody, Siddique said the ruling party was afraid of losing its support base ahead of the rural polls.

Siddique lashed out at the state government when he brought for production at Bankshall court in Calcutta on Wednesday.

Siddique, along with 19 others, were chargesheeted on Wednesday in a case of alleged assault on police holding them responsible for a slew of cases under the IPC including attempts to murder, obstructing public thoroughfare and voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter a public servant from doing his duty.

The chargesheet was submitted in Bankshall court in connection with a case drawn up against Siddique and 19 others at Hare Street police station for the alleged assault on police on January 21 afternoon in Calcutta.

“The chargesheet comes within 25 days of the incident in connection with a criminal case drawn up at the Hare Street police station,” said a senior police officer. “Three other cases have been drawn up including one at the New Market police station and two more at Calcutta Leather Complex police station.”

The chargesheet mentions some 14 charges, including 10 under the IPC, which includes rioting armed with deadly weapons and unlawful assembly. Besides there are separate charges under specific sections of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act 1972.

Countering the charges during the hearing, the lawyer representing Siddique and 19 others said the charge of attempts to murder didn’t hold since there was no specific complaint of attempted murder in any police station by any individual. There was a mass demonstration and some people were injured. They were treated medically and released from hospitals, the lawyer argued.

The court sent Siddique to judicial custody till February 28 in the Hare Street case. The MLA will remain in police custody till February 18 in the case lodged by the New Market police.

Citing the cases lodged against him, the ISF Bhangar MLA said, “It has become crystal clear that the state government is conspiring against me.”

”I have been subject to mental torture in police custody. There is no evidence against me. No one can provide evidence of me provoking violence,” Siddique said.

“Nevertheless...I have been subjected to sheer harassment. But they (police) will not able to prevent me in this way. They are afraid of my voice... But I will remain vocal for the benefit of the financially weaker section and backward people and for the minorities. They (Trinamul) are angry with me since I have raised my voice against loot of Waqf properties and rights of minorities...they will not be able to stop me,” Siddique said.

Accusing Trinamul of trying to keep him in custody till panchayat polls are over, Siddique said, “I am being tortured mentally. People of Bengal are watching everything.”

A Trinamul leader from Bhangar refuted Siddique’s claims and said he was trying to hide his crime by making false allegations against the party and the government.