Bombay HC grants interim protection to ex-TISS student in Saibaba event case

The Bombay High Court on Friday granted interim protection from arrest to Kamakhya Prasad Das, a former Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) student, until August 31. The case relates to an unauthorised event held last October to mark the death anniversary of Delhi University professor GN Saibaba, during which slogans were allegedly raised for jailed activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.

A sessions court on August 7 had denied anticipatory bail to Das and another student, Abhirup Paul, stating that shouting slogans for individuals whose bail was rejected by the Supreme Court showed disrespect for the law. Nine students were booked under various charges including unlawful assembly and promoting enmity, based on a complaint by TISS administration. Das challenged the decision in the high court, arguing that the event was peaceful and that raising slogans is not a criminal offence.

The FIR was initially registered at Trombay police station and later transferred to the Crime Investigation Department. Das also disputed the allegation that he possessed banned Maoist literature, saying downloading books does not establish affiliation with a banned organisation. The matter will be heard next on August 31.