7 hrs ago
Ex-TISS Student Granted Bail Over Alleged Support Slogans
A court in Mumbai released former Tata Institute of Social Sciences student Abhirup Paul on bail.
Police had accused him of shouting slogans supporting Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.
They also pointed to books and other material downloaded on electronic devices.
Prosecutors said some of this material reflected Maoist ideas.
Paul denied shouting the slogans.
The court said keeping him in jail based only on suspicion would be unfair.
It also said the alleged conduct did not by itself prove that he was a Maoist or acting against the country.
Paul must pay a personal bond and report to police once a week.
The case will continue until the chargesheet is filed.
A Mumbai court granted bail to former Tata Institute of Social Sciences student Abhirup Paul.
Paul was arrested on August 7 after allegedly shouting slogans supporting Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.
Prosecutors also cited downloaded books and other material they said reflected Maoist ideology.
The court said there was no evidence linking Paul to Maoist or banned organisations.
Paul must furnish a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and report to police weekly until the chargesheet is filed.
- Who
- Abhirup Paul, a former Tata Institute of Social Sciences student, was granted bail.
- What
- A Mumbai court granted Paul bail in a case involving alleged slogans supporting Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, along with alleged possession of Maoist-related material.
- Where
- The case was heard in Mumbai.
- When
- Paul was arrested on August 7; the bail order was reported after the court’s Thursday hearing.
- Why
- The court found that Paul had spent sufficient time in custody for interrogation and that there was no evidence linking him to Maoist or banned organisations.
Prosecution’s Allegations
Defense and Court’s View
Meaning of slogans and downloaded material
Prosecution’s Allegations
The prosecution alleged that Paul shouted slogans supporting jailed activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam and possessed downloaded books and material reflecting Maoist ideology.
Defense and Court’s View
Paul denied shouting the slogans, and the court said downloading Maoist books and expressing support for jailed activists did not by itself amount to activities against the country.
Need for continued custody
Prosecution’s Allegations
The sessions court had earlier cited the alleged slogans and electronic material when denying anticipatory bail.
Defense and Court’s View
The magistrate said Paul had spent sufficient time in custody for interrogation and that keeping him jailed on mere suspicion could harm his career.
Key facts
- Accused
- Abhirup Paul, a former Tata Institute of Social Sciences student
- Arrest date
- August 7
- Bail authority
- A Mumbai additional chief judicial magistrate
- Personal bond
- Rs 1 lakh
- Reporting requirement
- Paul must report to police once a week until the chargesheet is filed
- Other accused
- Paul and a batchmate were denied anticipatory bail, while seven other students received anticipatory bail
- Related case
- Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam have been jailed for more than five years under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, with their trial yet to begin
Quotes
Additional chief judicial magistrate
The magistrate who ordered Abhirup Paul’s release on bail.
“Keeping the student in custody on mere suspicion is unjust and would be detrimental to his career.”
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Sources
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