Calcutta HC seeks police report on criminal cases pending against TMC leader Sabyasachi Dutta

The Calcutta High Court on Monday asked the police to file a report disclosing the number of criminal prosecutions pending against Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sabyasachi Dutta.

Justice Saugata Bhattacharya directed the police to disclose whether Dutta is facing any criminal prosecution other than an extortion case registered by the police on June 9.

The Court was hearing a plea filed by Dutta to quash the extortion case.

According to reports, the said case involves allegations that Dutta extorted a businessman to pay him ₹1 crore in 2018. Dutta was arrested in connection with the said case on June 9 and is presently in jail.

"Since it is submitted by on behalf of the petitioner (Dutta) that there might be other criminal prosecutions pending against him, apart from (the extortion case registered by Bidhannagar North Police on June 9). Director General and Inspector General of Police (Legal) is directed to submit a report disclosing criminal prosecutions, if any, pending against the petitioner apart from (the case registered on June 9)," the Court ordered today.

Dutta's counsel today said that after his petition was filed, the police added him as an accused to another criminal case in which he was not originally named.

Dutta's counsel expressed concerns that there may be other criminal prosecutions being launched against the TMC leader, which he is not yet aware of.

He, therefore, urged the Court to direct the police to disclose what all cases are pending against Dutta.

"Let them disclose what are the cases against me. I can pray for anticipatory bail, if I'm not arrested in that case ... Let me not be subjected to further humiliation while I am in custody of the State," submitted Senior Advocate Sandipan Ganguly who was representing Dutta.

The matter is listed next on July 13, by when the police has been asked to file a report on the criminal cases pending against Datta.