A Mumbai court has granted bail to Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) student Abhirup Ashim Paul, who was arrested over allegations that he raised slogans supporting jailed activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Dattatray Shankarrao Khedekar observed that Paul had already spent sufficient time in custody for interrogation and that there was no material linking him to Maoist organisations or activities against the country.
Court Rejects Maoist Link Allegations
The case relates to an event held at TISS on October 12, 2025, to commemorate the death anniversary of former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba.
According to the prosecution, Paul and other students allegedly raised slogans demanding the release of Khalid and Imam during the gathering. The police also relied on material recovered from Paul’s electronic devices, including PDF copies of books related to Maoism.
The investigating agency alleged that deleted messages and the Signal application on his devices indicated support for Maoist ideology and possible links with banned organisations.
However, the court said the material did not establish such a connection.
“Prima facie except suspicion, there is no material to link the activities of the accused with mindset of maoist or against the nation or associating with banned organization against India,” the judge observed.
The magistrate further said, “Merely because of finding of pdf books (on Maoism), the inference of connection with the mindset of maoist cannot be drawn.”
‘Keeping Student in Custody Would Be Unjust’
The court also held that raising slogans in support of jailed activists and possessing soft copies of books about Maoism did not, by themselves, amount to anti national activity.
“Prima facie there is no incriminating material on record to justify involvement of the accused against the nation,” the judge said.
The magistrate noted that Paul was a young student and that keeping him in custody on the basis of suspicion could harm his career.
“Hence, keeping accused behind the bar would not be just,” the court said.
The court also found that further custodial interrogation was unnecessary, as the investigating officer had already received sufficient time to examine the allegations.
Bail Granted With Conditions
Paul was granted bail on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh, along with sureties. He was directed to report to the DCB CID every Wednesday until the chargesheet is filed.
The FIR was registered at Trombay police station based on a complaint by the TISS administration. Paul and other students were booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges relating to unlawful assembly, promoting enmity and criminal conspiracy, as well as provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act.
Paul had been arrested on August 7 after a sessions court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. He has denied raising the alleged slogans.
Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam have been in custody for more than five years in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act relating to the 2020 Delhi riots. Their trial has not yet begun.
