The West Bengal Police on Monday filed an FIR against Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh, who has been absconding since January 15, over the allegations of land grabs and sexual harassment of women in Sandeshkhali.
A police officer told the media that they had received over 70 complaints against Shajahan.
The island village in the North 24 Parganas district has been witnessing protests for over a month after scores of women took to the streets alleging that Shahjahan and his supporters had illegally grabbed their lands and had been sexually abusing them.
The TMC leader went into hiding on January 15 after a mob affiliated to him attacked and chased away a team of Enforcement Directorate officials who had reached Sandeshkhali to raid his premises in a separate corruption case.
The Calcutta High Court on Monday directed police to arrest Shahjahan and expressed surprise at the fact that the incidents of atrocities in Sandeshkhali were reported to the state police four years ago.
"It is furthermore surprising that it has taken four years for 42 cases to mature into chargesheets," said a division bench headed by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam.
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee claimed on Sunday that Shahjahan could not be arrested because of legal tangles and stay on FIRs filed by the police.
The court, however, made it clear that there is no record in any of the cases relating to incidents at Sandeshkhali that there is a stay on Sheikh's arrest.
Following the HC’s clarification, senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said Shahjahan will be arrested in seven days.
"About the arrest of Sheikh Shajahan, Abhishek Banerjee is correct. The matter was stuck in the legal tangle of the court. The opposition was doing politics using this opportunity. Thanks to the High Court today for clarifying the matter and allowing the police to take action. Shajahan will be arrested within seven days," Ghosh posted on X.
Fresh protests in Sandeshkhali
Meanwhile, fresh protests erupted in Sandeshkhali on Monday as locals ransacked the properties of local TMC leaders.
Armed with sticks, they attacked a few houses in the Bermajur area of Sandeshkhali, venting their fury against local TMC panchayat leader Shankar Sardar, reported PTI, quoting police officials.
Shankar, accused of land grabbing, was not at home, but his family members were beaten up by the villagers, said an officer.