Today(on 17th May), The Calcutta High Court has granted bail to BJP worker Piyali Das from Sandeshkhali, who surrendered in a criminal case. Das, accused of coercing a woman into signing a blank paper used for filing sexual assault complaints against TMC leaders, finds relief in the court’s decision.
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KOLKATA: Today(on 17th May), The Calcutta High Court has ordered the immediate release of Sandeshkhali BJP leader Piyali Das, who was arrested under controversial circumstances. Justice Jai Sengupta, presiding over the case, raised several questions about the arrest procedure and sought to uncover the “mastermind” behind it.
Background:
Piyali Das surrendered before a lower court on May 14, following which the additional chief judicial magistrate of the Basirhat sub-divisional court denied her bail request and remanded her to eight days of judicial custody. The allegations against Das revolved around an incident where she allegedly obtained a woman’s signature on a blank paper. This paper was later filled with complaints of sexual assault implicating TMC leaders.
During the course of the hearing, Justice Sengupta scrutinized Piyali Das’s arrest and raised pertinent questions about the compliance with the Supreme Court’s order regarding Section 195A.
The judge queried-
“What actions were taken by the magistrate? The Supreme Court’s directives on Article 195A are well-defined. How did the magistrate proceed with such an order? Who is responsible for orchestrating this arrest, and which official is overseeing the case?”
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Addressing the state, Justice Sengupta emphasized that no individual should be subjected to arbitrary arrest. He remarked-
“Maybe you don’t prioritize this court’s decisions, but it’s imperative to follow the Supreme Court’s directives.”
Furthermore, the court opined that Piyali Das had been falsely implicated.
Advocate Rajdeep Majumder, representing Piyali Das, informed the court on Friday that on May 7, an FIR was lodged against his client under a bailable clause. Subsequently, two days later, the police issued a notice under Section 41A. Mampi Das voluntarily surrendered to the lower court on May 14, seeking bail under the bailable clause. However, the lower court, without perusing the police case diary, granted a 12-day custody plea.
Piyali Das’s name has repeatedly surfaced in connection with various allegations related to the Sandeshkhali incident. Among the accusations are filing false cases of rape through intimidation. Recently, a housewife from Sandeshkhali lodged a complaint at the local police station, alleging that Mampi Das pressured her into filing a fabricated rape complaint in exchange for the release of her arrested brother. When the complainant later expressed a desire to withdraw her statement, she faced repercussions from the BJP. Mampi Das, also known as Piyali, was mentioned in a ‘Sting’ video from Sandeshkhali, as revealed by Gangadhar Kayal.
To avoid arrest following a series of complaints, Mampi Das sought anticipatory bail at the Basirhat court. However, she was apprehended on another charge, leading to her alleged unlawful detention. Eventually, the lower court sentenced her to seven days in jail. In response, Mampi Das filed a case in the High Court challenging this order. On Friday, she was granted bail on a personal bond.
The Calcutta High Court’s decision to grant bail to Sandeshkhali BJP worker Piyali Das, who had surrendered herself to a lower court three days prior, has significant implications. The criminal case against her alleged that she obtained the signature of a woman from Sandeshkhali on a blank paper, which was later misused to fabricate complaints of sexual assault against TMC leaders. Justice Jay Sengupta, in his ruling, directed that Piyali Das be released on a personal bond. However, the West Bengal government opposed the bail prayer, indicating the contentious nature of the case.
