SC Grants Protection Against Coercive Action To Union Minister Nisith Pramanik In Attempt-To-Murder Case

Pramanik moved the top court challenging the Calcutta High Court order that refused to grant him anticipatory bail in the case.

Pramanik moved the top court challenging the Calcutta High Court order that refused to grant him anticipatory bail in the case.

Source : Image credit: Instagram@nisithpramanik

The Supreme Court on Friday passed an order providing protection to BJP MP and Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Nisith Pramanik against any coercive action in an attempt-to-murder case till the matter is heard by the Calcutta High Court.

The top court was hearing Pramanik's plea seeking anticipatory bail in an attempt-to-murder case. However, the court clarified that it has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case and the high court shall decide the case on its own merits. 

The bench comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal on Thursday issued a notice to the West Bengal government seeking its response.

While agreeing to hear the case, the bench had directed senior advocate PS Patwalia, appearing for Pramanik, to serve the copy of the petition to West Bengal. Pramanik moved the top court challenging the Calcutta High Court order that refused to grant him anticipatory bail in the case.

Patwalia told the bench today that "Pramanik has to visit West Bengal and he is scared."

Pramanik in his petition before the top court submitted that his liberty was at risk due to the apprehension of arrest. He further said that the High Court order has hindered his chance of seeking protection.

An attempt-to-murder case was registered against Pramanik in 2018 after a group of people had opened fire on Trinamool Congress workers. A person was allegedly shot at and injured in the firing. Pramanik, in his plea, said that a magistrate had issued a warrant against him in the case. 

Pramanik contested the parliamentary polls in 2019 on a BJP ticket and won the Cooch Behar Lok Sabha seat. The BJP MP who was earlier with the TMC, has refuted the allegation of orchestrating the violence. 

Pramanik has been charged in a case along with 35 others for allegedly attacking a Cooch Behar resident Fajlu Munshi. The charges against him include attempt to murder (307), causing grievous hurt (326), wrongful restraint (341), and criminal conspiracy (120B), and the Arms Act.