Calcutta High Court Refuses Urgent Hearing Of Ex-TMC Minister Aroop Biswas' Plea To Quash FIR By Messi Tour Organiser Satadru Datta

The Calcutta High Court on Monday declined to grant urgent listing of a petition filed by former West Bengal Minister Aroop Biswas seeking quashing of an FIR lodged against him by Messi GOAT Tour organiser Satadru Datta, alleging criminal intimidation.

The matter was mentioned before a Bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharya by Senior Advocate Kishore Datta, who pressed for urgent listing on the ground that Biswas apprehended arrest in connection with the FIR.

Datta submitted that there was "extreme urgency" in the matter. He argued that the allegations related to an event that had taken place around six months ago and that the FIR was lodged only recently.

"My Lord, there is extreme urgency in the matter. This event is from six months ago. The accused in the FIR has filed a case against me suddenly on May 30. I have to appear before Salt Lake Police Station," Datta submitted.

The senior counsel further informed the Court that Biswas' brother, Swarup Biswas, had already been arrested in connection with the case and that Biswas was apprehending similar action.

The Bench, however, was not inclined to entertain the plea on an urgent basis and observed: "Move it in regular course. It will come in the usual presentation form."

When Datta requested that the matter be listed as early as Tuesday, citing apprehension of arrest, the Court suggested that the petitioner avail the remedy of anticipatory bail.

"Very well then, move an anticipatory bail," the Bench remarked.

Datta contended that the FIR had been registered after an unexplained delay of six months and questioned the absence of any preliminary inquiry before registration of the case.

He submitted that the petitioner was approaching the Court for quashing because the FIR had been lodged belatedly.

The Bench, however, reiterated that the petition should be filed and processed in the ordinary course.

"Please file in regular course. It will come in the presentation form. These matters cannot be taken up urgently."

The Court further cautioned against entertaining such requests through urgent mentioning.

"We will be flooded with matters. All matters cannot be taken up like this."

As the senior counsel again referred to the arrest of Swarup Biswas and sought protection against coercive action, the Bench maintained that the appropriate remedy was to seek anticipatory bail.

"Move it as per law. As far as personal liberty is concerned, move anticipatory bail. There is another forum… it cannot be moved on urgent basis."

Before concluding, Datta alleged that the proceedings were politically motivated. "Everything is being done on political basis," he submitted.

The Court nevertheless declined urgent intervention, leaving it open to the petitioner to pursue remedies available under law, including anticipatory bail, while directing that the quashing plea be moved in the regular course.