Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Calcutta High Court Grants Interim Bail to CPI(M) Leader
Lahek Ali is a leader of the CPI(M) political party.
He was arrested after protests became violent in Baruipur.
The protests began after a minor girl was raped and killed.
During the unrest, a mob allegedly beat 26-year-old Indrajit Mondal to death.
Police say Ali encouraged people to become violent and made provocative statements.
Ali denies this and says the cases against him are politically motivated.
The High Court has allowed him to leave jail temporarily because his mother is very ill and is receiving ventilator support.
He must stay in the Baruipur area and meet the police if they call him.
The court will review the case on September 9.
The Calcutta High Court granted CPI(M) leader Lahek Ali interim bail after nearly 50 days in custody.
Ali was arrested on July 12 over allegations that he made provocative statements and instigated violence during protests in Baruipur.
The unrest followed the rape and murder of a minor girl and the alleged mob lynching of 26-year-old Indrajit Mondal.
The court cited Ali’s mother’s critical condition and ventilator treatment, while directing him to remain within the Baruipur police district and answer police summonses.
The court will hear the matter again on September 9; reports differ on whether the interim bail expires on September 9 or September 10.
- Who
- CPI(M) leader Lahek Ali, the Calcutta High Court, Baruipur police, and protesters involved in the unrest.
- What
- Ali was granted interim bail in cases concerning alleged provocative statements and violence during protests linked to a minor’s rape and murder and Indrajit Mondal’s alleged mob lynching.
- When
- The bail was granted on Wednesday after Ali had spent nearly 50 days in custody; he was arrested on July 12, and the next hearing is scheduled for September 9.
- Where
- The unrest occurred in and around Surjapur or Suryapur village in the Baruipur area of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
- Why
- The court considered Ali’s mother’s critical illness and ventilator support while also noting the state had not immediately produced the alleged provocative speech.
Police allegations
Ali and CPI(M) response
Ali’s role in the violence
Police allegations
Police allege that Ali made provocative statements, instigated demonstrators, and helped escalate violence involving vandalism, burning tyres, blocked roads, and attacks on police personnel. Investigators say video footage and other evidence placed him at the protest site.
Ali and CPI(M) response
Ali denies the allegations. The CPI(M) says he was framed in politically motivated cases and that he was present after the alleged lynching of toto driver Indrajit Mondal rather than acting as an instigator.
Evidence for the arrest
Police allegations
The state says Ali was arrested over allegedly provocative comments and sought time to produce a pendrive containing his alleged speech. Police registered four suo motu cases under provisions concerning rioting, unlawful assembly, incitement, and attacks on public servants.
Ali and CPI(M) response
The court questioned what comments Ali had made and noted that the state did not have the relevant material immediately available. The judge also clarified that Ali was not accused of involvement in the minor’s rape.
Reason for temporary release
Police allegations
The state is continuing its investigation and was directed to submit a report before the next hearing.
Ali and CPI(M) response
Ali’s counsel argued that his mother was seriously ill and on ventilator support. The court granted interim bail while imposing territorial and police-reporting conditions.
- Accused
- Lahek Ali, a CPI(M) leader
- Arrest date
- July 12
- Custody period
- Nearly 50 days
- Bail decision
- Granted by Justice Tirthankar Ghosh of the Calcutta High Court
- Bail conditions
- Ali must remain within the Baruipur police district and appear before police when summoned
- Police cases
- Four suo motu cases were registered against Ali
- Medical grounds
- Ali’s mother was hospitalised and receiving ventilator support at a private hospital in Narendrapur
- Bail duration
- Sources report either September 9 or September 10; the matter is listed for hearing on September 9
