A Delhi court stayed the execution of a non-bailable warrant issued against Students’ Federation of India (SFI) leader Aishe Ghosh in connection with a 2021 protest case registered over a demonstration outside Bangla Bhavan.
Judicial Magistrate First Class-05 of the Patiala House Courts passed the order after Ghosh’s counsel submitted that she could not appear before the court on the previous date due to unavoidable circumstances.
The court has directed Ghosh to remain personally present at the next hearing and, in the meantime, stayed the operation of the warrant.
The case arises from a protest organised outside Bangla Bhavan in 2021. Ghosh has been chargesheeted for alleged offences under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, relating to disobedience of an order duly promulgated by a public servant, and Section 447 IPC, which deals with criminal trespass.
The development came a day after the Communist Party of India (Marxist) alleged that Delhi Police had attempted to apprehend Ghosh from the party’s national headquarters in New Delhi.
The CPI(M) claimed that police personnel had entered the party office in connection with the old case. Visuals circulated on social media purportedly showed CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas confronting a woman police officer who was not wearing uniform.
The police action triggered a political controversy, with the CPI(M) raising questions over the timing of the proposed arrest.
Ghosh has recently been at the forefront of student protests led by the SFI at Jantar Mantar concerning issues related to examinations. The agitation intensified in recent days and culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25.
The 2021 protest case, however, predates the latest demonstrations and concerns allegations arising from the protest outside Bangla Bhavan.
With the Patiala House Court now staying the non-bailable warrant, Ghosh will be required to appear personally before the court on the next date of hearing.
Ghosh was represented by Advocates KN Jayashankar, KR Subhash Chandran and Jaimon Andrews.
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