The Calcutta High Court directed West Bengal Police to submit details of all pending criminal proceedings, if any, against TMC leader Sabyasachi Dutta apart from the extortion case. The Court issued the direction while hearing his plea seeking quashing of the FIR and allegations of additional cases.
The Calcutta High Court on Monday directed the West Bengal Police to submit a report disclosing details of all criminal proceedings, if any, pending against Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sabyasachi Dutta, apart from the extortion case in which he is currently under arrest.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharya passed the direction while hearing a petition filed by Dutta seeking the quashing of an extortion case registered against him. The Court asked the police authorities to clarify whether any other criminal prosecutions are pending against the TMC leader.
The direction came after Dutta’s counsel expressed apprehension that additional criminal cases may have been initiated against him without his knowledge after he approached the High Court.
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The matter relates to an extortion case registered by the Bidhannagar North Police Station on June 9. According to allegations, Dutta was accused of demanding Rs 1 crore from a businessman in 2018. Following the registration of the case, Dutta was arrested on June 9 and has remained in custody. He subsequently approached the High Court challenging the criminal proceedings and seeking relief against the FIR.
During the hearing, Dutta’s legal team argued that after filing the petition before the High Court, police authorities added his name as an accused in another criminal case where he was not initially named. The counsel raised concerns that similar steps could be taken in other matters as well and requested the Court to direct the police to disclose the complete list of cases, if any, pending against him.
Senior Advocate Sandipan Ganguly, appearing for Dutta, submitted before the Court that the petitioner should be made aware of any other criminal proceedings so that he could take appropriate legal remedies.
He argued that if there were additional cases, Dutta should have the opportunity to seek anticipatory bail or other protective measures instead of facing further action while already in custody.
Senior Advocate Sandipan Ganguly submitted on behalf of Dutta,
“Let them disclose what are the cases against me. I can pray for anticipatory bail, if I’m not arrested in that case … Let me not be subjected to further humiliation while I am in custody of the State,”
Considering the submissions, Justice Bhattacharya directed the Director General and Inspector General of Police (Legal) to prepare and submit a report mentioning all criminal prosecutions pending against Dutta, apart from the extortion case registered on June 9.
The Court recorded in its order:
“Since it is submitted by on behalf of the petitioner (Dutta) that there might be other criminal prosecutions pending against him, apart from (the extortion case registered by Bidhannagar North Police on June 9). Director General and Inspector General of Police (Legal) is directed to submit a report disclosing criminal prosecutions, if any, pending against the petitioner apart from (the case registered on June 9),”
The High Court has fixed the matter for further hearing on July 13. The police authorities have been asked to submit their report by then, detailing whether any other criminal proceedings are pending against the TMC leader.
The Court’s direction came as part of its examination of Dutta’s challenge to the extortion FIR and his plea for clarity regarding other possible criminal cases.
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