"No Reason To Not Arrest Shahjahan Sheikh": Calcutta High Court On Sandeshkhali Prime Accused, TMC's Absconding Leader

The Calcutta High Court on Monday (26 February) highlighted that there is no reason to not arrest Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh, the prime accused in the Sandeshkhali issue.

While three of the TMC leaders have been arrested over allegations of land grab and sexual assault in North 24 Parganas district's Sandeshkhali, Sheikh is still on the run since 5 January when ED officials were attacked.

Calcutta High Court's clarification that there is no stay order in Sandeshkhali cases comes after TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee argued that the court had tied their hands in Sheikh's case.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been alleging that TMC is saving Sheikh. Union Minister Nisith Pramanik offered the Centre's assistance if the West Bengal government is unable to arrest Sheikh.

The Calcutta High Court Chief Justice ordered to add Sheikh to the Sandeshkhali case. Meanwhile, Basirhat SP HM Rehman sought time to review complaints against Sheikh before lodging an FIR against him.