Sandeshkhali: Calcutta High Court calls for removal of Shahajahan Sheikh as Zilla Parishad Pradhan

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday questioned the continuance of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahajahan Sheikh as the Pradhan of the Zilla Parishad in Sandeshkhali after his arrest in a case pertaining to the sexual assault of women in the area. .A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya also told Sheikh's counsel, Sabyasachi Banerjee to ensure that his client does not exercise any of his powers as Pradhan till the next date of hearing. "Should Shahjahan Sheikh continue on the position of the chief of Zilla Parishad?" the bench asked Advocate General (AG) Kishore Datta who informed that Sheikh has been suspended from the Trinamool Congress Party (TMC).However, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Ashok Kr Chakraborty informed the bench that Sheikh still enjoys rights equal to that of a State Cabinet Minister and thus he must be suspended or removed from the position of Pradhan immediately. For removing him from the position, a democratic process as prescribed in the law will have to be followed, AG Datta said.However, the bench opined that Sheikh should not be allowed to exercise any of the powers of the Pradhan for the time being. "Mr. Banerjee, you will have to ensure that your client (Sheikh) doesn't exercise any of his powers, at least till next date," the Chief Justice said. .The Court was hearing a suo motu case concerning allegations of land grabbing and sexual assault of women in Sandeshkhali by Sheikh and his aides.During the hearing today, the bench was informed that the District Magistrate and the Block Development Officer (BDO) are returning lands that were grabbed by Sheikh to the rightful owners. However, the Court was told that it was unclear as to whether such lands were being restored to their original character or not before being returned. The Court, therefore, ordered the concerned authority in the State to file a reply stating whether the lands were put to use after being grabbed and, if so, whether they are being returned only after restoring them to their original state. The Court further ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to spell out whether it could provide protection to witnesses in the case.This was after one of the advocates informed the bench that the local police and Sheikh's associates were trying their best to influence the witnesses. Further, the bench ordered the State to resort to "confidence building" in the disturbed area and to ensure that people do not keep visiting the region, creating further disturbances. The matter would be heard next on April 4. .Meanwhile, Sheikh, who is an accused in a ration distribution scam case as well, was recently arrested by the State police. Following an order by the High Court, the State police on Wednesday handed over custody of Sheikh to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).Sheikh was arrested in relation to a case concerning an attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers who had gone to raid Sheikh's residence at Akunjipara in connection with the ration scam. ED officers were injured during a clash with a crowd of people who were reportedly aides or supporters of Sheikh. After he was also accused of sexual assault and land-grabbing in Sandeshkhalli, Sheikh was eventually arrested by the West Bengal Police after being on the run for around 55 days.The Calcutta High Court on March 5 transferred the probe in that matter to the CBI.