Kolkata: The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday granted bail to 16 people arrested in connection with the recent unrest at a joint rally of Left student organisations in Kolkata on a bond of Rs 500.
The accused’s lawyers cited the Supreme Court’s verdict to seek bail, which forbade strict action against those involved in the movement. On the other hand, despite there being no clear directive from states like Delhi or Bihar, the government lawyers did not oppose the bail, and all 16 arrested were granted bail.
When the 16 people were produced in court on Tuesday in connection with the unrest at the July 24 rally, their lawyers applied for bail. Initially, government lawyers opposed the plea and sought judicial custody, following which the magistrate ordered their custody till July 30.
However, during the afternoon hearing, the accused’s lawyers raised the issue of the central government’s agreement in court. They claimed that the Union Home Ministry had decided to withdraw cases related to the NEET movement across India, including Delhi. They cited examples of Bihar and Assam, but as there were no clear guidelines from these states, the magistrate allowed the matter to be mentioned again on Wednesday.
Later, after receiving a copy of the Supreme Court’s judgment, the lawyers requested the court to hear the matter again on Tuesday. The magistrate granted the request, and the hearing resumed.
The lawyers of the accused, Yasin Rahman, Raja Sen, and Prashant Bagchi, argued that the Supreme Court had forbidden strict action against those arrested in the movement.
The magistrate asked how many of the accused had a criminal history, noting that the Supreme Court had clarified that strict action could be taken against those with past offences.
The investigating officer said five of the 16 had criminal records. The defence lawyers questioned whether those five had been found guilty in their previous cases. As there was no clear answer, the magistrate granted bail to all 16.
On July 24, several Leftist student organisations, including SFI, took to the streets in support of the NEET-UG question paper leak movement. The procession and sit-in programme was held from Sealdah to Esplanade.
Allegations of violence were raised, with controversial posters, placards, and anti-national slogans reportedly displayed. Several journalists were attacked while reporting. Sixteen people were arrested by police in connection with the unrest.
(IANS)
