A Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, made it amply clear that any investigating agency, whether under the state or Union government, was empowered to arrest absconding Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan.
Shahjahan is the accused mastermind in the January 5 attack on ED and CAPF sleuths in Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas District.
The court made the statement during the hearing on a matter relating to the arrest of the ruling party leader, at the Division Bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya.
The Chief Justice made it clear that although there is a stay on the formation of a joint investigation team of the West Bengal Police and the CBI to probe the attack on ED and CAPF sleuths, there is no restriction on arresting Shahjahan.
Without naming anyone, the Chief Justice also referred to the recent public observation made by a section of Trinamool Congress representatives and ministers that the state police are unable to arrest Shahjahan because of a stay on it by the Calcutta High Court.
“Some are claiming that the court is protecting the accused. The state police cannot shy away from responsibility as the arrest could not be made even after so many FIRs filed against him in the last few years,” the Chief Justice observed.
During the hearing, the ED’s counsel Dhiraj Trivedi argued that in case the state police arrest Shahjahan, it would be difficult for the ED to get his remand at a later stage and hence he was asking for an independent CBI probe into the matter.
Thereafter, the Chief Justice again observed that both, the state police and the central agencies, were empowered to arrest Shahjahan.
PM Modi congratulates CBSE students, says 'one exam can never define you'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated lakhs of students across India who appeared for the Class 10 and 12 Board examinations, as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced the results.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviews security with top officials, chiefs of forces
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined the new normal in the country’s tough anti-terror policy, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reviewed the security situation with top officials and chiefs of forces.
CBSE Class 10 results declared; girls outperformed boys once again
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced the Class 10 Board exam results for 2025 on Tuesday. This year, an impressive 93.66 per cent of students passed the examination. Over 23 lakh students appeared for the exam, which was held at 7,837 centres across 26,675 affiliated schools.
Chinese missile maker's stock tanks over 6 pc after India destroys its air weapon
The shares of Zhuzhou Hongda Electronics Corp Ltd, the Chinese defence company that manufactures the PL-15 missile, dropped sharply by 6.42 per cent or 2.56 Yuan to 37.33 Yuan on Tuesday, after India's air defence system successfully intercepted and destroyed the missile during the conflict with Pakistan.
Three terrorists killed in J&K gunfight
Three terrorists were killed on Tuesday in a gunfight with the joint forces in Keller area of Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district. V. K. Birdi, IGP (Kashmir), told reporters that three terrorists have been killed.
CBSE announces Class 12 result; pass percentage 88.39 per cent
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Tuesday declared the results for the Class 12 examinations, in which girls once again outperformed boys.
India is eternally grateful to armed forces: PM Modi visits Adampur Airbase after 'Operation Sindoor'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday morning visited the Adampur Airbase in Punjab to meet Indian Air Force personnel and express the nation's gratitude for their courage and fearlessness in defending the country.
Devotees throngs Venuban Vihar; meditates and offer prayer to Lord Buddha
Along with the rest of the world, Buddha Purnima was observed here at Agartala with a traditional fervour to mark not only the day when Gautam Buddha was born, but also the day when he attained Nirvana under the Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya.