A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, 8 July rejected the exemption petition filed by former All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Saokat Molla, who had sought relief from multiple criminal cases registered against him by both the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the West Bengal Police. The charges against Molla span alleged involvement in a bomb blast, corruption, extortion, and sexual offences.

Background: Arrests and Charges

On 5 June 2025, the NIA arrested Molla in connection with a bomb blast at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, according to officials. Less than two weeks later, on 19 June, the Jibantala Police Station took him into custody in a rape case filed against him seven years ago. A second rape case has also been filed against Molla, with allegations including the kidnapping of a child and repeated torture of the mother — a case that was brought before a court in connection with a 2019 incident.

What Molla Argued Before the Court

Molla approached the Calcutta High Court alleging that the police had violated his human rights, citing in particular an incident last month in which police took him through Jibantala Bazaar to reconstruct the crime scene in the blast case. He argued this public walk-through amounted to a rights violation and sought exemption from the criminal proceedings against him.

What Justice Bhattacharya Ruled

The matter was heard by Justice Sougata Bhattacharya, who, after a detailed hearing, refused to entertain the exemption petition. Justice Bhattacharya stated that given the seriousness of the allegations against the former TMC leader, it was not possible for his bench to grant the relief sought. He did, however, note that Molla retained the option to approach any other competent court with a similar petition.

Court's Caution on Public Parade of Accused

Notably, while rejecting Molla's plea, Justice Bhattacharya did not leave the police practice unchallenged. He said the recent trend of taking accused persons to public places and making them walk there 'should be stopped immediately.' The judge underscored that trial proceedings must be conducted strictly in accordance with existing legal provisions and that, on humanitarian grounds, accused persons should not be publicly paraded by police. This observation carries significance beyond Molla's case, as it sets a judicial caution against what critics have called performative policing.

What Happens Next

With the Calcutta High Court declining to intervene, Molla remains subject to the criminal proceedings initiated by both the NIA and the West Bengal Police. He may seek relief from another court, as indicated by Justice Bhattacharya. The NIA's bomb blast case, rooted in the Bhangar violence that has long been a flashpoint in South 24 Parganas, is expected to proceed independently of the state police cases.