Calcutta High Court Orders Arrest Of Sheikh Shahjahan In Sandeshkhali Case

The Calcutta High Court on Monday said that the Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, accused of sexual assault and land grab by many women Sandeshkhali in West Bengal, should be arrested.

"We clarify there is no stay on arrest in any proceeding. There is only a first information report and he (Shahjahan) has been named as an accused. Obviously he needs to be arrested," the court said.

The order comes after Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee reportedly claimed that the Bengal Government is unable to arrest him as the Enforcement Directorate is investigating the case.

On Sunday, Banerjee told reporters, "Had it not been so, how come TMC leaders like Uttam Sardar and Sibu Hazra could be arrested by police, and removed from the party on basis of FIRs lodged against them?" Sardar and Hazra were named in police complaints of alleged land grab and sexual harassment of women in Sandeshkhali.

"If curbs on state investigating agencies are lifted... you will see a different outcome, as the party will not protect anyone if found guilty," the Diamond Harbour MP said.

The court slammed the authorities for failing to take action as the incidents were reported four years ago. "It is surprising to note that incidents in the area were reported to state police four years ago and that it has taken four years for the cases to mature into 42 chargesheets", India Today quoted the High Court as saying.

It also said, "A wrong impression has been created as if an interim order of stay of arrest has been given. There is nothing on record to say that such a stay is in place."

The court asserted further, "A wrong impression has been created as if an interim order of stay of arrest has been given. There is nothing on record to say that such a stay is in place."