14 hrs ago
Mumbai Court Grants TISS Student Bail in Maoist Case
A court in Mumbai gave bail to TISS student Abhirup Paul.
Bail means he can leave custody while the case continues.
Police accused him of shouting slogans and having digital books connected to Maoist groups.
They also said he deleted chats and might have links to groups in Bangladesh.
Paul’s defence said he was young and was following his college curriculum.
The judge said having PDF books did not prove that Paul supported Maoism.
The court also said there was not enough evidence to keep him in custody.
Paul must provide a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh.
A Mumbai court granted TISS student Abhirup Paul bail on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh.
The prosecution accused Paul of raising slogans and possessing literature linked to Maoist organizations.
Police alleged he deleted mobile chats and could have links to Maoist groups based in Bangladesh.
The court said PDF copies of books did not establish a Maoist mindset or incriminating link.
It ruled that further custody was unnecessary and that detention based only on suspicion would be unjust.
- Who
- TISS student Abhirup Paul, the prosecution, and the Mumbai court presided over by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Dattatray Khedekar.
- What
- The court granted Paul bail after finding no prima facie incriminating material beyond suspicion.
- Where
- The case concerns activities at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences campus and an FIR registered by Trombay Police.
- When
- The bail order was issued on a Thursday; Paul was arrested on August 7, according to the article.
- Why
- The court said possessing PDF copies of books did not establish a Maoist mindset and that further custody was unnecessary.
Prosecution allegations
Defense and court findings
Meaning of the slogans and gathering
Prosecution allegations
The prosecution said Paul and other Progressive Students Forum members raised slogans demanding the release of jailed activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, reflecting support for Maoist activities.
Defense and court findings
The defence said Paul was young and was pursuing his college curriculum; the court did not find sufficient material linking the alleged activities to a Maoist mindset.
Significance of digital literature
Prosecution allegations
Investigators alleged that Paul possessed PDFs related to cross-border Maoist organizations and had deleted chats to conceal anti-national networks.
Defense and court findings
The court said possessing PDF copies of books did not establish a Maoist mindset or an association with a banned organization.
Need for continued custody
Prosecution allegations
Police argued that Paul could promote or spread Maoism and might have links with Maoist organizations based in Bangladesh if released.
Defense and court findings
The court said Paul had been interrogated sufficiently, no further custody was required, and keeping him jailed only on suspicion would not be just.
Key facts
- Bail amount
- Personal bond of Rs 1 lakh
- Accused
- Abhirup Paul, a Tata Institute of Social Sciences student
- Arrest
- August 7
- Police case
- FIR registered by Trombay Police
- Prosecution allegations
- Slogans, Maoist-related PDFs, deleted chats, and possible Bangladesh-based links
- Court finding
- No prima facie incriminating material beyond suspicion
- Associated group
- Progressive Students Forum
Quotes
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Dattatray Khedekar
Mumbai magistrate who granted Abhirup Paul bail
“Prima facie, except suspicion there is no material to link the activities of the accused with a mindset of Maoist or against the nation or associating with a banned organization against India.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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