The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday hailed the arrest of absconding party leader Shajahan Sheikh, accused of torturing villagers in trouble-torn Sandeshkhali area, and said it was possible only after the court cleared the decks and accused the opposition of exploiting the earlier "embargo" on his arrest, reported news agency PTI.

The BJP dubbed the arrest as scripted and claimed he was in the safe custody of West Bengal Police.