Mumbai court grants bail to TISS student arrested for slogans supporting Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam

A Mumbai court has granted bail to Abhirup Ashim Paul, a student of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), who was arrested for allegedly raising slogans supporting jailed activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. [Abhirup Paul v. State of Maharashtra & Ors.].Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Dattatray Shankarrao Khedekar observed that Paul had already undergone custodial interrogation for sufficient period.Pertinently, the Court also said that there was no evidence linking him to any Maoist or any other banned organisation. “Prima facie except suspicion, there is no material to link the activities of the accused with mind set of maoist or against the nation or associating with banned organization against India,” the judge noted. The Court observed that having soft copies of the Maoist books and raising campus slogans in support of jailed activists did not amount to anti-national activity and an inference of being a Moaist cannot be drawn from the same."Merely because of finding of pdf books (on Maoism), the inference of connection with the mind set of maoist can not be draw," the Court ruled.He determined that keeping Paul, a young offender, behind bars on mere suspicion would be unjust and detrimental to his career. .The case stemmed from a first information report (FIR) filed on a complaint by the TISS Registrar over an unauthorised campus event. On October 12, 2025, students gathered at the institute to commemorate the death anniversary of the late professor GN Saibaba. During the gathering, the prosecution alleged that students raised slogans demanding the release of Khalid and Imam who are in jail in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).After the sessions court rejected his anticipatory bail plea, Paul was arrested and taken into custody on August 7..Merely because of finding of pdf books (on Maoism), the inference of connection with the mind set of maoist can not be draw..The police alleged that Paul’s actions may be linked to a broader threat against the nation and were intended to create hatred in the community.However, the Magistrate rejected these suspicions. “Prima facie there is no incriminating material on record to justify involvement of the accused (Paul) against the nation,” the judge held. .He concluded that merely because Paul, a member of the Progressive Students Forum of TISS, participated in the commemoration and raised slogan would not make him liable for any criminal offence. .The judge also found that the investigation failed to show how Paul used social media to build or benefit from a banned network. .The Court also took note of the Bombay High Court order granting protection from arrest to co-accused, Kamakhya Das, under similar circumstances. Paul was ordered to be released on a personal bond and provisional cash security of ₹1,00,000..[Read order]