5-judge HC bench gives interim bail to Trinamool leaders

KOLKATA: A five-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Friday granted interim bail to four Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, including two West Bengal ministers, in the Narada case. The court, however, said that the interim bail with conditions granted to Firhad Hakim, Subrata Mukherjee, Madan Mitra and Shovan Chatterjee is only valid till the bench gives a final order in this case.

The CBI can further interrogate the accused but without physically summoning them to the CBI office because of the prevailing Covid-19 situation, the court said, adding that the investigations can proceed via video conferencing. Also, the leaders have been told not to give any interviews to the press on this case or any other legal matters pending on them.

On Friday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed grant of interim bail saying the four are influential people and could whip up public emotions again. Justice Mukerji asked the Solicitor General why the TMC leaders, who have not been arrested during the investigation for over four years, should be kept in house-arrest now, when they are required to do public functions during the pandemic.

The four TMC leaders have been under house arrest in the Narada sting operation case after the HC had stayed a bail given by the Special CBI court.