Ram Navami violence: NIA court grants interim bail to Trinamool councillor Shakir Ali

Kolkata, July 3 (IANS) A special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Kolkata on Friday granted interim bail to Trinamool Congress councillor Shakir Ali, husband of former Trinamool MP Aparupa Poddar, just three days after he was arrested on June 30 in connection with his alleged involvement in the 2023 Ram Navami violence case.

Incidentally, on June 30 only, the same special NIA court granted two days of NIA custody to Ali. In the meantime, Ali’s counsel had also moved a bail petition at the same court in the matter, the “in-camera” hearing of which was conducted at the same special NIA court on Friday.

The bail plea was moved by Ali’s counsel citing medical reasons. Although it was rejected initially, the special NIA court granted him conditional bail on Friday. Ali’s lawyer told media persons that his client is suspected to be suffering from cancer and is undergoing treatment.

“He has to undergo several regular tests. He has problems with oxygen circulation in his body. He is fully cooperating with the NIA in the investigation. After noting all these aspects, the judge of the special NIA court granted him the interim and conditional bail on Friday,” Ali’s counsel said.

However, there are several conditions for the interim bail. For the sake of investigation in this case, Ali will have to appear at the NIA office every 15 days. At the same time, he will not be able to go out of the state without the permission of the court.

It may be noted that Rishra in Hooghly district witnessed unrest in 2023 during the Ram Navami procession. At that time, panic spread in the area due to bomb attacks, vandalism and arson.

The lives of ordinary residents practically came to a standstill. The situation had reached such a point that the administration had to impose a virtual curfew for a few days to maintain law and order.

At the time of the incident, the then Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dilip Ghosh had left the area after attending a programme. It is alleged that violence broke out shortly after his departure.

The NIA arrested Shakir Ali earlier this week while investigating the case.

–IANS

src/dan