Archive · 29 Jul 2026
Supreme Court Frees 16 Accused in Rally Violence Case
Sixteen men were arrested for allegedly causing violence during a protest in Esplanade on July 24.
They were initially sent to judicial custody but were later released on bail after the Supreme Court issued an order restraining coercive action against protesters.
The defense argued that the Supreme Court guidelines applied to the accused and sought bail for all 16.
The prosecution initially opposed the bail but had no objection in light of the Supreme Court order.
After a hearing, the court granted bail to all 16 accused.
The men expressed their support for the students and the Indian Constitution upon their release.
Sixteen men were arrested for alleged violence at a protest rally in Esplanade on July 24.
The Supreme Court order restraining coercive action against protesters was cited by the defense.
The defense sought bail for all 16 accused, arguing that the Supreme Court guidelines applied to them.
The prosecution initially opposed the bail but had no objection in light of the Supreme Court order.
The court granted bail to all 16 accused after a hearing that continued into the evening.
- Who
- 16 men, 15 of whom are Muslims, arrested for alleged violence at a protest rally
- What
- Supreme Court order freed the 16 accused from judicial custody and replaced it with bail
- When
- The bail was granted on Tuesday evening
- Where
- The protest took place in Esplanade, and the court hearing was held at Bankshall Court
- Why
- The Supreme Court order restraining coercive action against protesters was cited by the defense, leading to the bail decision
Defense
Prosecution
Bail Application
Defense
The defense argued that the Supreme Court guidelines applied to the accused and sought bail for all 16, citing the apex court’s directions that police could not take coercive action against protesters.
Prosecution
The prosecution initially opposed the bail pleas, arguing that the accused were involved in violence and should be held in judicial custody.
Criminal Record Verification
Defense
The defense argued that the accused had cooperated with the police and had participated in a reconstruction of events, and that they should be released as per the Supreme Court guidelines.
Prosecution
The prosecution and the magistrate initially sought to verify whether any of the accused had previous criminal records before deciding on bail.
- Date of Arrest
- July 24
- Number of Accused
- 16
- Charges Filed
- Voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restraint, snatching, criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly, rioting, carrying weapons in an unlawful assembly, assault on public servants, obstructing public functions
- Court Decision
- Bail granted to all 16 accused
- Protest Demand
- Resignation of the Union education minister