Dharmatala Protest
Cloud TV Desk: A Kolkata court has granted bail to all 16 people arrested in connection with the recent Dharmatala protest and violence, reversing its earlier order that had sent them to judicial custody until July 30. The decision came after the Bankshall Court reconsidered the matter in light of recent legal principles highlighted by the Supreme Court.
The 16 accused were produced before the Bankshall Court on Tuesday following their arrest during the Dharmatala protest. Initially, the prosecution sought judicial custody, and the court accepted the request, sending them to jail until July 30.
However, after further consideration, the court modified its earlier order and granted bail to all the accused, marking a significant legal development in the case.
Legal experts noted that the revised order reflects the Supreme Court’s repeated observations that personal liberty should not be curtailed unnecessarily before trial unless investigators establish a compelling need for continued custody.
While the investigation into the protest-related violence will continue, the court found that continued judicial detention was not justified at this stage.
The Dharmatala protest led to clashes between demonstrators and police, with allegations of attacks on law enforcement personnel and journalists. Kolkata Police have arrested several individuals and continue to investigate the incident.
Prosecutors have argued that some of those arrested have previous criminal records, while defence lawyers maintain that the allegations have been exaggerated and that their clients deserve a fair investigation. Despite the grant of bail, the accused will be required to cooperate fully with the ongoing probe.
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