[BREAKING] RG Kar Rape-Murder | Mamata Govt. Moves SC Challenging Cal HC Bail Order to Student Arrested For Leading March Towards Secretariat

The West Bengal government Today (Aug 31) moved to the Supreme Court to challenge the bail granted to Sayan Lahiri of Chhatra Samaj, who was arrested in connection with the Nabanna Abhijan violence. Mamata Banerjee-led govt has sought a stay on the high court’s decision. The matter is expected to be mentioned before the Supreme Court on Monday for urgent listing

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NEW DELHI: The West Bengal government today moved the Supreme Court to challenge the bail granted to Sayan Lahiri, a leader of the Chhatra Samaj, who was arrested in connection with the violence during the Nabanna Abhijan protest.

This move comes after the Calcutta High Court, on Friday, directed the Kolkata Police to release Lahiri. In response, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government is seeking a stay on this decision, with the matter expected to be mentioned before the Supreme Court on Monday for urgent listing.

The Calcutta High Court’s decision to grant bail to Lahiri was accompanied by a strong caution to the police against the use of excessive force. The court stated that Lahiri could not be held liable for organizing the protests simply due to his vocal role, emphasizing that authorities must not “terrorise protesters” with undue force.

Lahiri, who was one of the convenors of the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ (March to Secretariat) on August 27, was apprehended the same evening for his alleged role in leading the rally. The protest was organized in response to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, an incident that has sparked widespread outrage.

The rally escalated into violent clashes between the police and protesters, particularly in parts of Kolkata and Howrah, where the police had to resort to lathi-charges, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse the crowd.

Justice Amrita Sinha, who granted Lahiri bail, described him as

“an entirely insignificant figure with no position of power or influence in the widespread call for justice following the RG Kar incident.”

She emphasized the need to restore public faith in the judiciary by granting Lahiri bail, despite the state’s concerns about his role in the protests.

Lahiri’s mother, Anjali Lahiri, had filed a petition seeking to quash the proceedings against her son and requesting his release on bail. The court ordered Lahiri’s release by 2 PM on August 31 and restrained the police from taking any coercive action against him in connection with the case, or any other cases that have been or may be registered, without the court’s permission.

The state government was directed to file an affidavit opposing the claims by September 20, with the petitioner allowed to reply by October 4.

In her ruling, Justice Sinha remarked that the Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj, an unregistered student organization, was

“a spontaneous alliance formed among students, supported by the broader public, outraged by the RG Kar incident.”

She noted that the protests had resonated across society and the nation, stating,

“If the RG Kar incident had not occurred, the Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj would not exist.”

The judge also highlighted that the large turnout of protesters could not be solely attributed to Lahiri, observing,

“It cannot be definitively said that the large turnout on the streets was solely due to the petitioner’s son’s call. The agitators and protestors were out seeking justice.”

Justice Sinha criticized the authorities for their handling of the situation, asserting that they should have addressed the issue more sensitively rather than targeting protestors to suppress their agitation.

She referenced the Supreme Court’s August 22 ruling, which upheld the right to peaceful protest, and restrained state authorities from taking any drastic action against peaceful protestors. Justice Sinha concluded that

“it is absolutely improper to use regulatory power for indiscriminate arrests aimed at instilling fear and terrorizing protestors by keeping them in custody.”

In her petition, Anjali Lahiri claimed that multiple FIRs had been lodged against her son across various police stations in Kolkata, insisting that Sayan Lahiri is innocent and has been falsely implicated in criminal cases.

Opposing the bail plea, the state’s Advocate General, Kishore Dutta, argued that Lahiri’s speeches during the rally were inflammatory and provoked the protestors, leading to a breakdown of law and order on August 27 in the city.

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