‘No Sympathy, Come On Monday’: Court Rebukes Sheikh Shahjahan’s Lawyer Seeking Urgent Hearing On Bail Plea

New Delhi: Hours after Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongman Shahjahan Sheikh was arrested, the Calcutta High Court made it unequivocally clear that there was “no sympathy” on the agenda. During proceedings on Thursday, the court directed Sheikh’s legal representative to present himself on March 4 for a suo motu hearing concerning alleged sexual atrocities and land encroachments affecting tribal communities in Sandeshkhali, news agency PTI reported.

Sheikh’s counsel appeared before the High Court, seeking an urgent listing to address matters pertaining to his client. However, the court reiterated its lack of sympathy towards Sheikh, with a division bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam instructing him to appear on Monday for the scheduled hearing.

Emphasising that Sheikh’s authorisation of legal representation through a vakalatnama should have facilitated his presence, the court highlighted the importance of this legal document in granting authority to a lawyer to act on behalf of a client in court proceedings.

Notably, vakalatnama is a document by which a client can authorise a lawyer to represent him or her before the court.

When Sheikh’s lawyer mentioned that an anticipatory bail plea had been dismissed two days back and four other applications remained pending, the Chief Justice said that a staggering 42 cases were pending against the TMC leader.

“Mr Counsel, this man has some 43 cases against him. Mind you, now for next 10 years, this man will keep you busy. You will have to handle all his cases till next 10 years at least. Come on Monday,” the Chief Justice said, according to Bar and Bench.

The Trinamool Congress strongman found himself in the clutches of the law after an evasion period spanning 55 days, culminating in his arrest by the Bengal police. The arrest pertains to his alleged involvement in a violent assault perpetrated against a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) personnel last month. Furthermore, he has been accused of land usurpation, perpetration of sexual offences, extortion, and intimidation.