The Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted bail to Indian Secular Front (ISF) MLA Naushad Siddiqui, who was arrested by the Kolkata Police on January 21. A division bench of Justices Debangsu Basak and Mohd Shabbar Rashidi granted bail to the ISF MLA. in respect of four Registered in three police stations of the city
Mr Siddiqui was behind bars in connection with First Information Reports (FIRs) filed in two cases at New Market Police Station, Hare Street Police Station and Kolkata Leather Complex Police Station.
The court gave different reasons for granting bail to the MLA in different cases. For example, with regard to the case registered at the Hare Street Police Station, the court observed, “At this stage, the State is unable to show that the petitioner was involved in inciting the mob to attack the police or destroy public property.” The petitioner has been in custody for 40 days.”
With regard to another case at New Market Police Station, the court observed, “The contents of the case diary, at this stage, do not suggest the need for further detention of the petitioner. Our attention is drawn to any material in the case diary of the State unable to attract evidence to show that the petitioner assaulted any police personnel or damaged public property.” In each case, the court granted bail on the condition of furnishing a surety bond of Rs 10,000.
The arrest and subsequent detention of Mr. Siddiqui, who represents the Bhangar assembly seat in South 24 Parganas district, had become a political issue, with opposition parties alleging that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government used police to back him. doing to leave. bars. The Trinamool leadership had alleged that the MLA was working with the BJP.
On 21 January, clashes broke out between ISF supporters and Trinamool Congress workers in Bhangar. The violence later spread to the streets of Kolkata and several policemen were injured in the violence.
Popular’s brother Mr. Siddiqui PIR Abbas Siddiqui, (religious leader), is the only MLA in the state assembly who represents neither the Trinamool Congress nor the BJP. The ISF was formed ahead of the 2021 assembly polls and the party has forged an alliance with the Left parties and the Congress.