Jadavpur University student granted bail in campus arson case
Times of India | 26 March 2025
123 Kolkata: Sauptik Chandra, a second-year civil engineering student at Jadavpur University (JU), who was arrested earlier on March 18 in connection with the March 1 arson incident at the Trinamool-supported 'Shikshabandhu' office on campus, was granted bail on Tuesday by the Alipore court. Chandra was released on a personal bond of Rs 5000.
The police, though, earlier objected to his bail in court and instead sought his judicial custody. Chandra was the third arrest in the ongoing investigation. Chandra's arrest led to protests among JU students who claimed that he was being made a scapegoat.
Earlier, Jadavpur University first-year Philosophy student Soumyadeep Mahanto, alias Ujaan (22), was arrested too in this case along with former student Mohammed Sahil Ali, now working with a software company. All three accused are presently out on bail.
Chandra was taken into custody exactly a week ago following questioning at Jadavpur police station, where he was summoned earlier. While police sources claimed that Chandra was a sympathiser of the Inquilabi Student Unity, his friends at JU said he was not aligned to any organisation, though he identified himself as a FETSU member.
Chandra was one of the 16 JU students – both present and former – who were summoned at Jadavpur police station for questioning. "We have video footage evidence where Chandra is seen participating in the arson," claimed a police officer. MSID:: 119485321 413 |