The Calcutta High Court has recently granted bail to former Trinamool Congress MLA Arabul Islam in a case involving attempt to murder and arson that was filed during the 2023 panchayat elections.
A bench of Justices Arijit Banerjee and Prasenjit Biswas granted bail to Islam, who was arrested on February 2, 2024, noting that the detention of an accused pending trial cannot be punitive in nature.
In its judgment on the bail petition, the court observed that the former MLA from Bhangore in the South 24 Parganas district has been in custody for a considerable period, the charge sheet has already been submitted, and there is no expectation of an early conclusion of the trial.
Islam was arrested in connection with an attempt to murder and arson case that arose from a clash between supporters of the TMC and the opposition ISF over the filing of nominations for the panchayat elections in June last year.
The division bench granted bail on a bond of Rs 2 lakh with two sureties for a like amount. The state opposed the bail request, arguing that Islam is a history-sheeter with several criminal cases pending against him.
Imposing conditions, the court directed Islam to mark his attendance every Sunday before the Bijoygunj Bazar police station until the trial concludes. He was also directed to be present before the trial court on each hearing date unless exempted and to appear for interrogation before the police as required.
Additionally, Islam was ordered not to leave the jurisdiction of the concerned police station without prior permission from the trial court and was directed to stay at least 200 meters away from the victim’s house.
