North News
Chandigarh,August 31
The Calcutta High Court has granted bail to Sayan Lahiri, a leader of the Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj, in connection with his arrest during the Nabanna Abhijan rally, held on August 27. The protest was organized in response to the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and it turned violent, leading to clashes with police and property damage, The Hindustan Times reported.
The Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj, an unregistered student group, was one of the organizations behind the rally. Sayan Lahiri was detained on the evening of August 27 for allegedly playing a significant role in the protest that led to public unrest.
Justice Amrita Sinha, presiding over the case, stated that Lahiri appeared to hold no significant influence in the broader outcry for justice following the RG Kar incident and thus should be released on bail. The court emphasized that the decision aims to uphold public trust in the judiciary. Acting on a petition filed by Lahiri’s mother, Anjali, the court ordered his release by 2 p.m. on Saturday and restrained the police from taking coercive action against him without prior court approval, the news outlet said.
The court also ordered the state to submit an affidavit opposing the claims made by the petitioner by September 20, with the petitioner’s reply, if any, due by October 4.
