Narada Case: Calcutta HC Orders TMC Leaders To Be Kept Under House Arrest, Refuses CBI's Request For Stay

In the hearing today, Justice Arijit Banerjee ordered interim bail to 4 accused. Acting CJ Rajesh Bindal differed saying that the accused must be kept on house arrest.

Kolkata: Calcutta High court has ordered that arrested West Bengal ministers Subrata Mukherjee and Firhad Hakim, TMC MLA Madan Mitra, and former Kolkata mayor Sovan Chatterjee be kept under house arrest and all medical amenities be given to them. They were arrested by CBI in connection with the 2016 Narada sting operation case.

As opposed to the prior reports, there was a difference of opinion between the two judges. Justice Arijit Banerjee was in favour of bail but the acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal did not support the decision.

The CBI on Monday arrested West Bengal ministers Subrata Mukherjee and Firhad Hakim, TMC MLA Madan Mitra, and former Kolkata mayor Sovan Chatterjee in connection with the 2016 Narada sting operation case.

A virtual hearing was held on Monday at Bankshall Court in Kolkata over the arrest. The accused were virtually produced from Nizam Palace, before the court.

The Bankshall Court had granted bail to the 4 TMC leaders. However, the Calcutta High court stayed the order soon after as CBI challenged it while stating that they are unable to work properly and that their investigation is getting affected. 

In the hearing today, Justice Arijit Banerjee ordered interim bail to 4 accused. Acting CJ Rajesh Bindal differed saying that the accused must be kept under house arrest. The interim bail issue has been referred to a larger bench.

As per the final order, arrested persons can access files, meet officials but only through video conference. Whatever work they are doing for the public can be continued as the 4 arrested include 2 state ministers and 1 MLA. This decision comes as earlier, concerns were raised regarding their arrest impacting West Bengal's battle against the second wave of Coronavirus and also the cyclone situation.

The bench has refused the request of CBI for a stay on the present order.

All four now released from the correctional home but they will keep house arrest. The hearing will continue and the final order might be passed after some time.

The four were arrested for allegedly “demanding and accepting illegal gratification to show favour to a private person who was posing as a representative of a fictitious company”. The alleged act was captured on camera.