Sandeshkhali: No Stay On Sheikh Shajahan's Arrest, Says Calcutta HC

The Calcutta High Court on Monday said that there is no stay on arrest of Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shajahan, who has been accused of committing sexual atrocities against women and forcefully grabbing tribal land in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali.

The high court directed that Sheikh, the Enforcement Directorate, the CBI, and the state home secretary be made respondents in the suo motu proceedings initiated on alleged sexual abuse of women and land grab of tribal people, a PTI report said.

According to the report, a division bench presided by high court Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam ordered that a public notice be given in newspapers by the high court registry stating that Sheikh has been impleaded in the matter.

Sheikh is absconding since a mob attacked ED officials on January 5.

The amicus curiae assisting the court in the suo moutu case pleaded the court for a clarification on whether there is a restraining order on police from arresting Sheikh. Clarifying on the issue, the high court said there is no such stay and the police can arrest him. The division bench said that in a different matter, it had only stayed the constitution of a joint special investigation team (SIT) of the CBI and the state police, which had been ordered by a single bench to investigate the attack on ED officials, the report said.

The matter is listed for further hearing on March 4.

Responding to the latest developments, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose said, “It is a momentous statement. It means the culprit has to be arrested and no excuse can be made now.”

 

#WATCH | On Sandeshkhali, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose says, "...As we know from the newspaper reports, the Police came there, ministers went there, petitions were received. If I understand from the newspapers, more than 800 petitions have been received. Process has… pic.twitter.com/8btVlyOvyW

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2024