Court Denies Bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in UAPA Case
A Delhi court on Monday denied bail to former JNU students Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The court cited the seriousness of the allegations and the need for further investigation as grounds for the denial. Khalid and Imam have been in custody since September 2020 in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.
The prosecution argued that the accused were part of a larger conspiracy to incite violence during the anti-CAA protests. The defense countered that the charges were baseless and that the two had been singled out for their political activism. The court, however, upheld the prosecution's stance, stating that the evidence prima facie indicated their involvement.
Kunal Ghosh Resigns as TMC Bengal Chief
In West Bengal, a major political development unfolded as Kunal Ghosh, a close aide of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, resigned from the post of Trinamool Congress's Bengal unit president. Ghosh cited personal reasons for his resignation, but sources suggest internal party differences may have played a role.
Ghosh's resignation comes ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, raising questions about the party's internal dynamics. He had been appointed as the state party chief in 2024, succeeding Subrata Bakshi. The TMC leadership has not yet announced a successor. Ghosh remains a member of the party's national working committee.
Political Fallout and Reactions
The BJP seized on Ghosh's resignation, calling it a sign of discontent within the TMC. State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar said, "This is just the beginning. More leaders will leave the TMC as they realize the party's anti-people policies." The TMC dismissed the claims, stating that Ghosh's resignation was a personal decision and that the party remains united under Mamata Banerjee's leadership.
Political analysts view this as a setback for the TMC, which has been facing internal friction over candidate selection and organizational issues. The party is expected to announce a new state chief within a week.
