SPLIT AMONG JUDGES ON INTERIM BAIL TO TMC LEADERS IN NARADA SCAM CASE

23rd May 2021

A difference of opinion was seen while hearing the case pertaining to the bail of four TMC leaders, who have been arrested by CBI in the Narada Scam case. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Arijit Banerjee showed conflicting opinion after hearing the matter at length on Wednesday. While Justice Banerjee allowed interim bail of the four TMC leader, ACJ Bindal disagreed and stated that the four TMC leaders must be kept on house arrest.

In the view of split opinion, the matter has been referred to a 5-judge bench. However, both the judges reached an agreement that the four accused TMC leaders should be kept on house arrest along with all medical amenities until the matter is resolved. Since two of the arrested persons are ministers of the elected state government, the Court allowed them to access files and hold meetings through video conferences.

Adv Dr Abhishek Singh, appearing for the TMC leaders, stated that the order is house arrest has been passed in the middle of the hearing. He pressed, that the arrested people be released on interim bail until the larger bench hears the matter. To which Justice Banerjee replied, "one of the members of the bench did not agree to grant interim bail. Meanwhile, considering the Pandemic situation, house arrest has been given".

Author - Papiha Ghoshal