The Calcutta High Court on Monday said that there is no order stopping the West Bengal Police from arresting Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan in sexual assault and land grab allegations from Sandeshkhali. It also added Sheikh as a respondent in a case registered by the court in the Sandeshkhakli issue.
“We have stayed only the constitution of SIT. There is no order restraining the apprehending of Shahjahan Sk. How can there be an order of court saying not to arrest for almost 20 days?,” the Chief Justice of Bengal High Court said, as quoted by Live Law.
The Chief Justice also said that the court will also implead Shahjahan by name and with his address. “Since he has not been arrested, we will direct the registry to issue a public notice in a Bangla newspaper and English newspaper having wide circulation,” the court noted.
The court’s clarification came after TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday night claimed that the Bengal government is unable to arrest Shahjahan because the court has ‘tied the hands of the police’.
However, the opposition BJP slammed Banerjee’s remarks, referring to them as ‘contempt of court’. The TMC MP seemed to blame the High Court for delaying the Sandeshkhali inquiries by staying its order to form a SIT to investigate the January 5 attack on the Enforcement Directorate team.
“Those calling for Shahjahan's arrest should make an appointment and ask the court why this stay was granted. Was it to ensure Bharatiya Janata Party could secure mileage from this incident?,” Banerjee said on Sunday.
Meanwhile, On the recent visit of politicians in the strife-hit Sandeshkhali despite restrictions under Section 144, the Calcutta High Court said, "What is the need for hundreds of people going there when people are agitated?” The hearing in the case will continue on March 4.
The protest in Sandeshkhali broke out after several women accused Trinamool leader Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of "sexual assault and land grab" earlier this month.