West Bengal post-poll violence.

On May 29, 2025, the Supreme Court of India canceled the bail granted to five individuals accused in a 2021 post-poll violence case in West Bengal. The accused—Sekh Jamir, Sekh Nurai, Sekh Asraf (also known as Sk Rahul or Asraf), Jayanta Dome, and Sekh Kabirul—were charged with rioting, assault, and an attempted rape, allegedly targeting a family that supported the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the day election results were announced.

The Supreme Court, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, overturned the Calcutta High Court’s earlier bail orders, emphasizing the severity of the allegations. The Court noted that the attack appeared to be a deliberate act of political vengeance aimed at intimidating opposition supporters, describing it as “a grave attack on the roots of democracy.”

Furthermore, the Court highlighted concerns about potential interference with the trial, citing the local police’s initial refusal to register the victim’s complaint as indicative of the accused’s influence in the area. This refusal reinforced fears that the accused could adversely affect the judicial process.

This ruling underscores the Supreme Court’s commitment to addressing politically motivated violence and ensuring the integrity of democratic processes.

SOURCES