Calcutta High Court Grants Bail to Former Trinamool Congress MLA Arabul Islam Amid Attempted Murder Case

The Calcutta High Court granted bail to former Trinamool Congress MLA Arabul Islam in an attempted murder and arson case during the 2023 panchayat elections. The bench allowed bail based on his prolonged custody, completed charge sheet, and low chances of an early trial conclusion. Islam must adhere to stringent bail conditions.

The Calcutta High Court has granted bail to former Trinamool Congress MLA Arabul Islam, who faces charges of attempted murder and arson stemming from the 2023 panchayat elections. Islam was arrested on February 2, 2024, but the court emphasized that pre-trial detention should not be punitive.

Considering Islam's extended period in custody and the submission of the charge sheet, the court ruled there were no signs of an imminent trial conclusion. As a result, the bench, consisting of Justices Arijit Banerjee and Prasenjit Biswas, sanctioned his release on a bond of Rs 2 lakh with two sureties.

The state opposed the bail, citing Islam's criminal history. Nonetheless, the court imposed strict conditions, including weekly attendance at the Bijoygunj Bazar police station and restrictions on leaving the jurisdiction without trial court permission. Islam is also barred from approaching the victim's residence within a 200-meter radius.