43 cases will keep you busy for next 10 yrs: Calcutta HC tells Shahajan's lawyer as it refuses to hear bail plea in Sandeshkhali incident
Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court Thursday refused to hear the bail plea of TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan, who managed to evade arrest for 55 days for attacking ED officials and is also the key figure in multiple allegations of land grab and sexual assault in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali.
The High Court bench headed by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam said it had “no sympathy” for Shahjahan.
The lawyer representing Sheikh Shahjahan faced a stern response from the High Court bench when he presented the anticipatory bail petition before the court on Thursday morning.
"Certain observations were made by your Lordships against my client," the lawyer said. Chief Justice Sivagnanam replied, "Wonderful, we were waiting for you."
"Mr Counsel, this man has some 43 cases against him. Mind you, now for next 10 years, this man will keep you busy. You will have to handle all his cases till next 10 years at least," the Chief Justice added, according to Bar and Bench.
The Chief Justice refused to hear the bail plea and asked Shahjahan’s lawyer to return on Monday.
On Wednesday, the court had ruled the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are free to arrest Trinamool Congress strongman Sheikh Shahjahan.
In his bail plea, Shahjahan said, "My anticipatory bail was rejected. I was arrested last night. I cannot mention before the regular bench now."
"Come on Monday. We have got no sympathy for that person. Please come on Monday, not now," the bench told his lawyer, who presented the petition before it.
The turmoil in Sandeshkhali, a remote block about 80 kms from Kolkata and a part of the Bashirhat sub-division of North 24 Parganas district, broke out first in early January when a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) reached TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan's residence to quiz him in connection with the ration distribution scam in the state.
Shahjahan's aides allegedly assaulted and chased the ED officers turning the area into a political hotspot, months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
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