Conditional Bail for TMC Leader Shakir Ali in 2023 Ram Navami Violence Case
A special court in Kolkata on Friday granted conditional bail to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shakir Ali, who was arrested earlier this week in connection with violence during Ram Navami rallies in West Bengal's Hooghly district in 2023. The case is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Ali, a former councillor of Rishra municipality, was taken into custody on Tuesday from his residence in Hooghly. He was subsequently remanded to two days of NIA custody on Wednesday.
The special court judge at Bichar Bhavan, while granting bail, directed Ali to appear before the investigating agency every fortnight and not to leave West Bengal without the court's permission. These conditions will apply until the charge sheet is filed in the case.
Ali's lawyer argued that his client had complied with all summons from the NIA and was suffering from health issues, and therefore sought bail. The NIA's lawyer opposed the bail plea, claiming that Ali was not cooperating with the investigation.
Ali is the husband of Aparupa Poddar, a former two-time TMC Member of Parliament from the Arambagh constituency in Hooghly. He was twice elected as a councillor from Ward 4 of the Rishra Municipality.
