Mamata Banerjee government’s defiance to the Supreme Court’s judgment over the release of BJYM youth wing convener Priyanka Sharma has drawn wrath from the apex court. The Supreme Court had ordered an immediate release of Priyanka Sharma who was detained by the West Bengal police on 10th May. The BJP youth leader was supposed to be released immediately on unconditional bail. Yet, the leader was still in prison and SC has taken strong exception of the fact that despite the court’s urgent orders, Priyanka was still kept in detention.
The prosecution has argued that the delay in release was due to the delay in information to the district magistrate. However, Justice Indira Banerjee has denied this argument saying that the court had clearly said that Priyanka should be released immediately. The Bench further warned, the state government will be liable to face contempt proceedings.
The Supreme Court had finally provided an unconditional bail to BJP youth leader Priyanka Sharma who was arrested on 10th May for morphing picture of Mamata Banerjee. Initially, the youth leader was supposed to draft an apology as a condition for her bail plea, but the condition was waived off by the Supreme Court. This decision of the Supreme Court came as a setback to Mamata Banerjee government which has continuously attacked the fundamental rights of the citizens of the state.
The vacation bench of the Supreme Court said, “Subject to Priyanka Sharma tendering an apology in writing for putting up an objectionable picture on Facebook account, she shall be immediately released.” However, the condition was later waived off. The court also issued a notice to West Bengal police over the way the 25-year-old was taken into custody. Priyanka Sharma had approached the apex court challenging her arrest by the West Bengal police for posting the picture on Facebook. Her arrest was protested by other BJP leaders and supporters.
The BJP worker was reportedly forced to move the Supreme Court as there was a strike in local courts till May 14 in Howrah and because Priyanka had been remanded to 14 days judicial custody by a Howrah local court on May 11. The court has finally done justice to the youth leader. During the hearing, Sharma’s advocate, Neeraj Kishan Kaul said that an apology in regard to the case would be an infringement of the Right to Freedom of Speech.
Sharma’s family said that the actions were taken at the TMC’s behest as Priyanka Sharma worked for BJP. Sharma’s mother said, “My daughter was arrested because she used to work for BJP. This is all part of the bigger plot. This is the first time she is far from us. Had she been a TMC worker, nothing bad would happen to her; this has been done by the behest of TMC. The fact that she is in jail has increased our worries.”
Meeting the youth leader, BJP leader and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the situation in the state of West Bengal resembles the time of “Emergency” in India. Union Minister Mahesh Sharma denounced the West Bengal government for the arrest of the youth leader. He said that such politics is neither good for the state nor for the country.
Mamata Banerjee’s government is arbitrarily punishing people of the state for exercising their fundamental rights. It is time for the people of Bengal to rise once again against the injustice every soul is bound to face in the Mamata censored regime.
