Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 11: A Mumbai court has granted bail to Abhirup Ashim Paul alias Rony, a student of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), in a case related to an alleged commemoration event for G N Saibaba and slogans reportedly raised at the institute.
The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of the 37th Court, Esplanade, observed that at the bail stage there was prima facie insufficient incriminating material connecting Paul with Maoist ideology or activities against the unity of the nation.
The case stems from an incident on October 12, 2025, when students at TISS allegedly gathered to commemorate the death anniversary of G N Saibaba. According to the FIR, slogans including “Rest in power G N Saibaba” were raised, while demands were allegedly made for the release of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.
Paul was named as accused No. 3 among nine persons booked in connection with the incident. The case invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act.
Paul had earlier secured interim protection from the Sessions Court for several months. His anticipatory bail application was rejected on August 7, 2026, following which he was taken into custody. His mobile phone and laptop were seized, and he was interrogated for around 21 hours.
The prosecution opposed bail, stating that investigators were examining mobile phones, social media posts, WhatsApp chats, CCTV footage and literature allegedly linked to banned organisations. It also alleged that certain messages and applications had been deleted and that material related to Maoist ideology was found on Paul’s phone.
The prosecution expressed apprehension that his release could influence witnesses or hamper the ongoing investigation.
However, the Magistrate noted that the investigation had continued for a considerable period and found no prima facie material, beyond suspicion, linking Paul to Maoist activities. The court observed that merely being a member of the Progressive Students Forum, participating in the commemoration event and possessing PDF books could not, at the stage of bail, establish a connection with Maoist ideology.
The court held that further custodial interrogation was not necessary in view of the interrogation already conducted and granted Paul bail.
Paul was directed to execute a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh with one or two sureties of the same amount. He was also permitted to furnish provisional cash security of Rs 1 lakh for two weeks. He must report to DCB CID Unit-06 every Wednesday between 10 am and 12 noon until the charge-sheet is filed.
The court further directed him not to threaten or influence witnesses, tamper with evidence or leave India without prior permission.
The Magistrate clarified that the observations were confined to deciding the bail application and would not affect the final adjudication of the case on its merits.