Cal HC asks Bengal cops to produce case diary in attack on ED officials

Kolkata, Jan 15: The Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal police on Monday to produce the case diary in the FIR filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a mob attack on its officials when they went to search the premises of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh at Sandeshkhali on January 5.
A lawyer, claiming to represent Shajahan, prayed for permission to be added as a party in the matter. Justice Jay Sengupta directed that the case diary be produced on Tuesday when the matter will be taken up for hearing again.
The ED raided Sheikh’s house on January 5 in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam in West Bengal.
Justice Sengupta noted that a counsel approached the court claiming to represent the accused Sajahan Sheikh, but was yet to have the necessary vakalatnama, a written document which authorises a lawyer to represent a person in a legal proceeding.
“He prayed that his client ought to have an audience here. But, he is not having the vakalatnama at present,” the court said.
Justice Sengupta directed that in the event the counsel is able to procure a vakalatnama, he will be at liberty to file an application for addition of party for his client.
The ED has issued a look out circular against Shajahan Sheikh.
ED’s counsel submitted before the court that the agency found links to Shankar Addhya, who has been arrested by the agency, and Shajahan during its investigation into the alleged ration distribution scam.
The ED has arrested state’s Forest Minister Jyoti Priya Mallick, who held the Food and Supplies portfolio from 2011 to 2021, and is at present in judicial remand in the case. The state’s counsel submitted that four people have been arrested in connection with the attack on the ED officials.
Justice Sengupta asked how only four people were arrested when it has been alleged that hundreds were involved in the attack on the ED officials.
The ED’s counsel also submitted that despite a murderous attack on the officials, milder sections of IPC were given in the FIR filed by the officials of Najat police station, within the area of which Shajahan’s house is located, on the complaint by the agency. (PTI)