HC relaxes bail conditions to allow UAPA accused to vote
Times of India | 21 March 2026
Kolkata: Calcutta High Court on Thursday relaxed bail conditions of UAPA accused Md Imadul Hoque in the 2022 Beldanga blast, permitting him to go home, under Beldanga PS, for a day to vote in the assembly election on April 23. Hoque moved the HC's division bench of justices Arijit Banerjee and Apurba Sinha Ray, seeking relaxation of bail conditions. His primary prayer was to visit home for Eid. He is now residing under Berhampore PS.
Hoque was granted bail on Aug 26, 2025 by the division bench of justices Debangsu Basak and Md Shabbar Rashidi. While granting bail, it was specified that he cannot enter the jurisdiction of Beldanga PS.
"We see that for about two years and 10 months, between May 21, 2022 and March 10, 2025, he was on bail and it is nobody's case that he misused the privilege in any manner. There is also nothing to suggest that he is not complying with the conditions of bail granted by the coordinate Bench on Aug 26, 2025. We also see that there is practically no likelihood of the trial concluding on an early date," the division bench held while allowing his visit to home for Eid on March 20 and return on March 22, then on April 23 to cast the vote.