3 weeks ago
Ex-TISS student arrested for alleged slogans supporting Umar Khalid, Imam
A man in Mumbai, India, was arrested by the police.
His name is Abhirup Paul, and he used to study at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences.
The police say he shouted slogans supporting two men who are in jail: Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.
Those two men are accused of being part of a plan behind riots in Delhi in 2020.
The police also say Paul had downloaded books and other material linked to Maoist ideas.
A court refused to let Paul and another student get bail before his arrest.
Then a judge said Paul must stay in custody until Monday.
This case is connected to a small event at the university in October, where students remembered a former professor named GN Saibaba.
Saibaba had spent many years in jail but was cleared by a court in 2024 and died a few months later.
Some other students who were at that event were granted bail just before Paul was arrested.
Mumbai police arrested Abhirup Paul, a former Tata Institute of Social Sciences student, for allegedly shouting slogans in support of jailed activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.
The arrest came hours after Paul and another student were denied anticipatory bail by a Mumbai court.
Police also booked the students for possessing downloaded books and other material allegedly reflecting Maoist ideology.
Paul was produced before a magistrate's court on Saturday and remanded to custody until Monday, though police had sought 10 days' custody.
The case stems from an October event at TISS commemorating the death anniversary of former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba; seven students who attended that event were granted anticipatory bail on Friday.
- Who
- Abhirup Paul, a former student of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, arrested by Mumbai police.
- What
- Allegedly shouting slogans in support of jailed activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam and possessing downloaded books and material allegedly reflecting Maoist ideology.
- Where
- Mumbai, India.
- When
- Arrested on Saturday and produced before a magistrate's court the same day.
- Why
- Police allege he supported Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam through slogans and held Maoist-linked material; the case follows an October event at TISS commemorating GN Saibaba's death anniversary.
Defense perspective
Police/prosecution perspective
Anticipatory bail in the Saibaba commemoration case
Defense perspective
The court itself noted that paying homage to Saibaba was not unlawful; the event was a candlelight remembrance, and students should not be denied bail over it.
Police/prosecution perspective
Allegations that the students shouted slogans supporting Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, along with material recovered from their electronic devices, weighed against granting anticipatory bail.
Detention of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam
Defense perspective
Khalid and Imam have been in jail for more than five years while the trial in their case has not yet begun.
Police/prosecution perspective
They face charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act for an alleged conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots, and their petitions for regular bail have been repeatedly rejected.
Key facts
- Arrested person
- Abhirup Paul, former TISS student
- Alleged offence
- Slogans supporting Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam; possession of downloaded books and material allegedly reflecting Maoist ideology
- Charges in FIR
- Causing prejudice to the nation, causing enmity between groups, participating in unlawful assembly
- Custody status
- Remanded to custody until Monday; police sought 10 days' custody
- Underlying case
- Khalid and Imam jailed over five years under UAPA over alleged conspiracy in 2020 Delhi riots; trial not yet begun
- Related event
- October event at TISS commemorating GN Saibaba's death anniversary
- Related bail ruling
- Seven students granted anticipatory bail on Friday
- Location
- Mumbai
Sources
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Mumbai Court Grants Bail to Seven TISS Students, Rejects Two
Ex-TISS Student Arrested After Court Rejects Bail in Saibaba Case
Bombay High Court Grants Interim Relief To Former TISS Student
Bombay HC to Hear Bail Plea in Saibaba Slogans Case
TISS Student Abhirup Paul Gets Another Day In Police Custody
