Today, On 13th May, In the Election Commission protest case, the Rouse Avenue Court granted bail to TMC leaders Derek O’Brien, Sagarika Ghose, and Saket Gokhale. The leaders were arrested earlier this year during their protest outside the Election Commission.
New Delhi: The Rouse Avenue Court granted bail to several leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), including MPs Derek O’Brien, Sagarika Ghosh, and Saket Gokhale, related to their protest outside the Election Commission of India (ECI) earlier this year.
Out of the ten leaders summoned, nine appeared in person, while Vivek Gupta participated via video conferencing.
Also Read: TMC Leaders in Trouble: Court Orders Bail Bond in ECI Protest Case
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Neha Mittal granted bail to five sitting MPs on a personal bond of Rs.10,000 each, while the other accused were released on a personal bond along with one surety of Rs.10,000.
The court noted that since the chargesheet was filed without any arrests, bail was granted to all accused. Bail and personal bonds were submitted and accepted, except for Gupta.
The case is scheduled for a hearing on May 21.
This case stems from an incident on April 8, 2024, when TMC leaders allegedly protested outside the ECI’s main gate in Delhi, violating prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Cr.P.C.
The prosecution claimed that the leaders refused to disperse despite repeated warnings, leading to the filing of an FIR.
On April 21, the court had issued summons to ten leaders, including MPs Mohd. Nadimul Haque and Dola Sen, after reviewing a chargesheet and a complaint filed by the Delhi Police.
The court stated it found sufficient grounds to proceed under Sections 188 (disobedience to public servant’s order), 145 (joining unlawful assembly), and 34 (common intent) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The protest occurred in the lead-up to the 2024 General Elections, with the TMC alleging inaction by the Election Commission regarding various complaints.
The protest was held by a 10-member TMC delegation shortly after they met the full bench of the Election Commission. They had gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the central investigative agencies, including the CBI, NIA, ED, and the Income Tax Department. The TMC leaders were demanding the removal of the heads of these agencies.