LI Network
Published on: February 20, 2024 at 15:54 IST
The Calcutta High Court has raised objections to the involvement of Shahjahan Sheikh, the Pradhan of the Zila Parishad, in the recent violence in the Sandeshkhali area of West Bengal.
The Court expressed dismay at the state police’s failure to apprehend him for more than 19 days.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya heard the plea filed by the State challenging the orders of coordinate benches that revoked the imposition of Section 144 CrPC orders in the area.
These orders also allowed opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, along with another MLA, to visit the area and interact with the affected people.
While declining to interfere with the previous orders, the court admitted the appeals and instructed Adhikari and the MLA to visit the area strictly adhering to the High Court’s orders and without any supporters.
The Sandeshkhali issue arose when officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) were attacked during a raid on the residence of Sk Shahjahan, who is allegedly at the center of the violence.
The Court took judicial notice of the problem’s escalation after the ED conducted a search on Shahjahan’s premises. It expressed surprise at the state police’s inability to apprehend him despite multiple IPC offenses and the attack on ED officials.
The Court emphasized the need for a broader perspective, especially when the person considered the sole cause of the problem is still evading authorities.
It referred to a suo moto motion taken up by a single bench, treating it as a report and placing it before the bench handling public interest litigations.
During the hearing, the court highlighted the grievances raised by women in the area, including land grabbing from tribal people. It stated that Shahjahan Sk should not be allowed to defy the law and should surrender, considering prima facie evidence of wrongdoing.
The Court emphasized the importance of investigating genuine claims, even if there are numerous false claims, and urged authorities not to dismiss people’s concerns. It expressed concern that the accused, who seems to be the root cause of the problem, remains at large, questioning whether he is protected or beyond the police’s jurisdiction.
Notably, the Court had previously denied an urgent listing for a plea related to the ‘protection’ of women affected by the alleged violence in Sandeshkhali.