The Chief Justice of Calcutta HC stated today, “We have no sympathy for that person (Shahjahan). Please come on Monday, not now.”
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WEST BENGAL: The Calcutta High Court Today (29 Feb) refused to grant an urgent hearing to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan, who was arrested last night by the West Bengal police following recent allegations of sexual assault and land-grabbing in Sandeshkhali village.
Shahjahan’s lawyer appeared before a bench presided over by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam today, seeking to address the matter.
The lawyer expressed concern regarding certain critical remarks previously made by the Court against Shahjahan, made days prior to his arrest by the State police.
“Certain observations were made by your Lordships against my client,”
-the lawyer stated.
“Wonderful, we were waiting for you,”
-replied Chief Justice Sivagnanam, alluding to Shahjahan’s evasion prior to his arrest.
The lawyer then highlighted that Shahjahan’s anticipatory bail plea was pending at the time of his arrest.
“Mr. counsel, this man (Shahjahan) has some 43 cases against him. Mind you, now for the next 10 years, this man will keep you busy. You will have to handle all his cases for at least the next 10 years,”
-remarked the Chief Justice.
The lawyer, in response, urged the bench chaired by the Chief Justice to consider their plea.
“Milords, my anticipatory bail was rejected. I was arrested last night. I cannot bring up the matter now before the regular bench of the High Court,”
-he submitted.
However, the Court indicated its reluctance to hear the matter on that day.
“Come on Monday. We have no sympathy for that person (Shahjahan). Please come on Monday, not now,”
-stated the Chief Justice.
Hours after the High Court clarified that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had the freedom to arrest the absconding TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan, his apprehension by the West Bengal police was reported. Shahjahan, who is reportedly closely associated with an accused in a ration scam case, faced arrest by the state authorities.
In a hearing yesterday, the Court criticized the State for its failure to arrest Shahjahan despite more than 50 days having passed since the issuance of warrants. The bench firmly asserted that the State could not evade its responsibility by allowing a person, who had been evading arrest for such an extended period, to remain at large.
During the proceedings, the ED informed the bench that Shahjahan was listed as absconding in several cases out of the 43 registered in the past four years, involving charges of rape and other offenses.
Earlier this week, the Court reiterated that there was no injunction against Shahjahan’s arrest.
Meanwhile, the State reiterated that it did not endorse Shahjahan’s evasion of law enforcement.
It’s noteworthy that both the ED and the CBI had previously expressed reservations about the West Bengal Police conducting investigations into the allegations against the TMC leader.
PREVIOUS REPORTS ON THE ISSUE
Calcutta High Court: Central Agencies Free to Arrest Shahjahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali Violence Case
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