Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat has strongly condemned the continued imprisonment of tribal leader Sala Marandi and joined a protest rally demanding his immediate release. Karat highlighted a "grave concern" that Marandi remains behind bars despite a competent court granting him bail, attributing it to an unjustified procedural delay.
Political Leader Decries 'Deliberate' Administrative Delay
After meeting Sala Marandi at the jail on 19 December 2025, Brinda Karat addressed reporters, expressing deep frustration. She stated that the delay in his release is not a mere bureaucratic oversight but appears to be a "unjustified and deliberate delay in verification of surety." This, she argued, undermines the judicial process and the authority of the court's bail order.
The Core of the Controversy
The central issue revolves around the gap between a legal order and its execution. While the court has sanctioned Marandi's freedom conditional on bail, the administrative process of verifying the provided sureties has stalled. Karat and her supporters see this as a tactic to keep the tribal leader incarcerated. Her involvement and public statements have brought significant political attention to the case, framing it as a matter of justice and rights for tribal communities.
Broader Implications and Rallying Cry
By joining the protest rally, Brinda Karat has elevated the issue from a legal procedural matter to a public and political cause. The incident raises questions about:
- The efficiency and impartiality of post-bail administrative procedures.
- The rights of incarcerated individuals, particularly from marginalized tribal communities.
- The role of political intervention in ensuring judicial orders are implemented without prejudice.
The protest and Karat's forceful demand signal ongoing pressure on the authorities to expedite the verification and secure Sala Marandi's release without further delay, as mandated by the court.
