During proceedings at the Calcutta High Court on Thursday, it was disclosed that Zila-Parishad Pradhan and the primary accused in the violence at Sandeshkhai, Shahjahan Sheikh, had been arrested this morning or late last night.

A division bench consisting of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya was approached by the counsel representing Sheikh. The counsel stated that Sheikh had been arrested despite his plea for anticipatory bail having just been disposed of. Additionally, the counsel noted that several cases against Sheikh were still pending before trial courts.

The counsel emphasized the urgent nature of the plea and requested that Sheikh's application for regular bail be listed as an urgent motion.

Upon hearing these contentions, the bench refused an urgent listing and remarked:

"Let him be arrested. For the next 10 years, this person will keep you very busy. You won't have any time for any other brief. 42 cases have been registered against him, he had been absconding as well. You come on Monday. Anything you want you come on Monday, we have got no sympathy for that person."

Earlier, the Calcutta High Court had urged the Police to apprehend Sheikh, clarifying that there was no order of stay on his arrest. Additionally, the court stated that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or Enforcement Directorate (ED) would also be at liberty to arrest him. Notably, Sheikh, a member of the ruling Trinamool Congress party, is the prime accused in cases involving sexual assault and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali, which have sparked significant unrest in the area.

Additionally, Sheikh was allegedly the mastermind behind the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers who were en route to raid him in connection with a multi-crore ration scam.