Sandeshkhali: Calcutta High Court refuses urgent hearing to TMC's Sheikh Shahjahan, says "we have no sympathy"

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday declined to grant urgent hearing to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan who was arrested last night by the West Bengal police after he was recently accused of sexual assault and land-grabbing in Sandeshkhali village. .Shahjahan's lawyer appeared before a bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam today and attempted to mention of the matter. The lawyer expressed concern over certain critical observations made earlier by the Court against Shahjahan, days before his arrest by the State police. "Certain observations were made by your Lordships against my client," the lawyer submitted. "Wonderful, we were waiting for you," Chief Justice Sivagnanam replied, alluding to how the TMC strongman had been absconding in the days leading to his arrest. The lawyer then pointed out that his anticipatory bail plea was pending when Shahjahan was arrested. "Mr. counsel, this man (Shahjahan) has some 43 cases against him. Mind you, now for the next 10 years this man will keep you busy. You will have to handle all his cases till the next 10 years at least," the Chief Justice remarked.The lawyer, in turn, urged the bench led by the Chief Justice to hear his matter. "Milords, my anticipatory bail was rejected. I am arrested last night. I cannot mention now before the regular bench (of the High Court)," he submitted.The Court, however, indicated that it was not inclined to hear the matter today."Come on Monday. We have got no sympathy for that person (Shahjahan). Please come on Monday not now," the Chief Justice said. .Shahjahan's arrest by the West Bengal police came hours after the High Court clarified that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were also at liberty to arrest the absconding TMC leader, who is also said to have close ties to an accused in a ration scam case.During a hearing yesterday, the Court also pulled up the State for failing to arrest Shahjahan for more than 50 days. The bench made it clear that the State cannot shirk its responsibility by not apprehending a person who has been on the run for so many days.This was after the ED informed the bench that out of the 43 cases (of rape and other offences) registered in the last four years, Shahjahan was shown to be absconding in several cases.Earlier this week, the Court was also prompted to clarify that there is no stay on Shahjahan's arrest. The State has, meanwhile, maintained that it is not supporting the absconding TMC leader. Notably, the ED and the CBI had earlier told the Court that they have serious reservations about West Bengal Police probing the allegations against the TMC leader.