The Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to former cricketer and BJP MLA Ashok Dinda.
Multiple FIRs had been filed by the Kolkata Police against Dinda and other party members in the backdrop of the alleged violence on August 9 during the Nabanna Abhijan, a rally held to observe the first death anniversary of a junior doctor who was raped and murdered at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The petitions were heard by the single bench of Justice Jay Sengupta. Senior counsel Billwadal Bhattacharya, appearing for Ashok Dinda, submitted, “The allegation is that the petitioner was surrounded by BJP members and giving a provocative speech.” Senior counsel Kalyan Banerjee, appearing for the State, submitted, “Every day they say they will kill the police, that is unacceptable.”
Hearing both sides, the judge ordered, “It is alleged that the petitioner gave a provocative speech on the date of incident which, according to the FIR, was derogatory, provocative and a threat to law and order machinery. No offence is made out, a custodial interrogation is not required. Considering the nature of the allegation, anticipatory bail is given. The petitioner is to cooperate with the investigation, meet the IO as and when required, and not to threaten the witnesses.”
Meanwhile, BJP leader Kali Khatik has been granted interim relief by the Calcutta High Court till August 22. The court observed, “The allegation is that he (Khatik) disobeyed public servants, (he) does not require custodial interrogation. Let the petitioner comply with the notice on Monday at the said police station. The matter is listed for August 21; the petitioner shall not be arrested till August 22.”
On the matter regarding the quashing of the FIRs filed by former BJP MP Arjun Singh and BJP leader Shankudeb Panda, the court stated that this will be heard on August 21.
The state also sought permission from the Calcutta High Court to file an FIR against Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in the Nabanna Abhijan case on Thursday. The state’s counsel alleged that Adhikari had violated the law and order situation on August 9.
The matter was referred to Justice Jay Sengupta’s bench for a fresh application, but Adhikari’s counsel stated that Justice Jay Sengupta’s court does not have the jurisdiction to hear this case. The matter is to be heard on Monday.
In 2022, a bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha of the Calcutta High Court had granted protection to Adhikari. A stay was ordered on 26 FIRs filed by the state police. It also directed that permission from the court would be required to file an FIR against Adhikari.
On Wednesday, Dinda and Khatik had moved the Calcutta High Court seeking anticipatory bail, while Singh and Panda did so for the quashing of the cases against them. On Tuesday, the Kolkata Police had summoned Dinda, asking him to appear at the New Market police station on August 18 at 11 am.
According to Kolkata Police, seven cases were lodged – five by Kolkata Police and two by Howrah Police – in connection with the violence during the Nabanna Abhijan.
Four FIRs have been registered at the New Market Police Station and one at the Hare Street Police Station under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police. The FIRs were lodged for allegedly violating High Court orders by not going to R R Avenue and taking a procession towards Park Street, for allegedly creating a ruckus at the “Rakhi” stall of another political party, allegedly assaulting a police constable and causing head injuries, allegedly vandalizing the office of the hawkers’ union, and allegedly damaging the camera of a mediaperson and “confining” him.
Meanwhile, a second arrest was made by the New Market Police late on Wednesday night for allegedly assaulting the police. The accused has been identified as BJP worker Manas Ch Saha (55), who hails from Naihati.