The Calcutta High Court questioned the reasonability of conducting public protests against the arrest of four Trinamool Congress leaders when already their bail applications were being heard by the court.
In the Narada Scam, a case had been registered against the TMC leaders under Prevention of Corruption Act allegedly for accepting illegal gratifications from a sting operator. They had been arrested and produced before Special CBI court where the followers of arrested people gheraoed the CBI office and did not allow officers to reach their office.
The bench was hearing the CBI’s case against the bail granted to four TMC leaders involved in the Narada Scam case. In the instant case, the CBI sought for transfer of bail applications from the Special CBI Court to the High Court due to the unprecedented mob pressure exerted by West Bengal Chief Minister and Law Minister.
The Chief Justice of Calcutta HC highlighted the public protests which were being conducted against the matter which had been taken up by the court. The bench questioned whether the protests were an acceptable way to respond.
The bench also stated that the political leaders are supposed to explain and not incite their followers against a matter which is being dealt by the court.
The counsel appearing for the TMC leaders contended that the protests were peaceful in nature and were a form of expressing the unlawful arrests which had been conducted by the law enforcing agencies. The counsel also brought before the bench that the protests did not intend to impede the CBI or courtroom proceedings.
The counsel also submitted that just because a matter is being considered by the court, it would not act as a bar to democratic dissent.
The counsel appearing for CBI urged the bench to retain the custody of respondents so as to prevent the witnesses from being influenced. The counsel contended that the respondents hold influential positions which might affect the investigation or the witnesses.
Currently, the matter has been listed on another day.
Leave a Reply