Justice Jay Sengupta of Calcutta High Court on Wednesday decided to hear cases filed by leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari — seeking orders to quash proceedings of the criminal cases lodged against him at several police stations across Bengal — on June 26.

The judge, however, said Justice Rajasekhar Mantha's interim order restraining police from taking coercive measures against Adhikari and lodging fresh criminal cases against him without prior approval of the court would continue till he heard the matter.

The judge asked the state to file an affidavit stating its views by June 6.

A total of 29 criminal cases have been lodged against Adhikari at various police stations.

Last year, Adhikari moved the court to seek quashing of proceedings of all 29 cases, including seven murder cases, claiming they were filed on the basis of fake allegations. He claimed the state wanted to harass him with such charges.

Following his plea, Justice Mantha issued the interim order in December last year. As the final hearing of the cases had been pending before Justice Mantha for quite a long period, the state moved the Supreme Court, which sent the case back to Justice Mantha with a directive for early disposal.

Justice Mantha released all cases related to Adhikari from his court, stating he did not have time for a prolonged hearing. He also requested acting Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court T.S. Sivagnanam to send the cases to another court. The matter was then sent for disposal to Justice Sengupta.

Bayron plea

Congress MLA from Sagardighi Bayron Biswas moved a petition before Calcutta High Court, claiming he was receiving threat calls and seeking a proper remedy from the court. Biswas said he had taken up the issue with state and central governments to no avail. Justice Mantha agreed to hear his petition on May 15.