Bombay HC grants relief to ex-TISS student booked for raising slogans supporting Khalid, Sharjeel

The Bombay High Court on Friday granted interim protection from arrest to former Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) student Kamakhya Das, who was booked over allegations of raising inflammatory slogans, including those supporting jailed activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, during an unauthorised event on the institute's campus. Justice Prafulla Khubalkar observed that Das' mobile phone and laptop had already been seized by the police and that his custodial interrogation was not necessary at this stage. The court continued the interim protection earlier granted to Das by the trial court, subject to certain conditions, and directed him to cooperate with the investigation.

Protection till August 31

The High Court directed Das to appear at the police station concerned on August 19 and 24 between 10 am and 2 pm. He was also asked to appear before the investigating agency whenever summoned.

Subject to these conditions, the court ordered that Das should not be arrested until the next hearing on August 31.

The case arose from an FIR registered at Trombay Police Station following a complaint by the TISS Registrar.

According to the prosecution, nine students had gathered on the TISS campus on October 12, 2025, to pay homage to late Delhi University professor GN Saibaba. The gathering allegedly involved lighting candles, reading revolutionary poetry and raising slogans demanding the release of UAPA-accused activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.

Das approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail after a Mumbai sessions court rejected his plea.

Defence cites cooperation

Senior Advocate Mihir Desai, appearing for Das, told the High Court that his client had fully cooperated with investigators and had no previous criminal antecedents.

Desai argued that merely attending a commemoration or using phrases such as "Rest in Power" did not constitute a criminal offence. He also pointed out that seven of the nine accused students had already been granted anticipatory bail by the sessions court.

The counsel said Das had appeared before the investigating agency five times and had completed his studies and taken up employment elsewhere.

Prosecution opposes plea

Chief Public Prosecutor Shishir Hiray opposed the application, contending that the investigation had revealed a possible deeper conspiracy involving secessionist activities.

The prosecution alleged that forensic examination of Das' electronic devices revealed deleted applications and electronic books advocating secession, Khalistan and the ideology of the banned CPI (Maoist).

Hiray also alleged that material found on the devices advocated gaining power "through bullets, not votes". The prosecution further claimed that Das had threatened a police officer during the investigation.

It argued that custodial interrogation was necessary to investigate the alleged larger conspiracy.

After considering the rival submissions, the High Court granted temporary protection to Das. The matter will be heard next on August 31.