Abhishek Banerjee, the all India Trinamul Congress general secretary on Sunday rejected the Opposition parties’ allegations that the police are playing a biased role in failing to arrest Sandeshkali TMC leader Sheikh Shajahan. He stated: “If the High Court ties the hands of the state police administration, then how will they make arrests?”

He questioned those who are vocal about “empty promises” and suggested that the several national committees coming here should inquire before the court why the hands and feet of the state police are tied. Mr Banerjee further stated: “Trinamul is not guarding Sheikh Shahjahan. If someone is being guarded, it is through the judicial system, ensuring that headlines in Sandeshkhali remain consistent.

The hands and feet have been tied by the Calcutta High Court. No matter how prominent a leader is, if anyone commits injustice aga inst people, it will not be tole rated.” The BJP and other opposition parties have been continuously accusing the Trinamul Congress of influencing the ongoing cases related to Sandeshkhali and Sheikh Shahjahan. When asked about this, Mr Banerjee said: “Those who claim to be champions of human rights, defenders, and representatives of various organisations are demanding the arrest of one person every day. They say, ‘Arrest him, arrest him.’

Take this plea to the court. If the High Court ties the hands of the state administration, then from where will they make arrests?” He said “For those who have concerns about the incidents in Sandeshkhali or Sheikh Shahjahan, the event that occurred on 5 January, where there was an attack on ED officials, they filed a complaint and lodged an FIR. They alleged that ED officials were attacked and they filed an FIR. In that matter, the Chief Justice’s bench of the Calcutta High Court directed the formation of an SIT.

After 10-12 days, the bench of the Chief Justice of the High Court, Justice Jay Sen Gupta, stays that order.” He said: “The administration should be given at least 15 days, 20 days, 1 month, 2 months based on the foundation of an FIR. They are giving 12 years to the ED, and even then, they don’t tie their hands. In the Sardar case, the trial has not started yet, and then they don’t say there will be a stay order.

They won’t give the police 15 days, but they are ready to give the ED 10 years, 12 years, 15 years.” He cited examples of former cabinet minister Partha Chatterjee and Jyotipriya Mallick, making it clear that no matter how prominent a leader is, if anyone commits injustice against people, it will not be tolerated.