Belonia, Oct 9 — In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has ordered the release of three senior CPI(M) leaders from Tripura — Tapas Dutta, Trilokesh Sinha, and Babul Debnath — after reducing their jail term in recognition of their good conduct.
The directive, issued by a division bench comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice SVN Bhatti, reached Belonia Sub-Jail on Wednesday, following which the trio was released later in the evening. Their release was met with celebrations by CPI(M) supporters, who welcomed them with flowers and slogans of solidarity. Among those present were Acting District Secretary Mihir Patari, Belonia Sub-Divisional Secretary Bijoy Tilak, and MLA Dipankar Sen.
Addressing party members after his release, senior leader Tapas Dutta expressed gratitude for the support received during the decade-long legal battle. “We were targeted because we stood for the rights of working people. This struggle lasted ten years, and throughout, our comrades and supporters stood firm with us. Their faith gives us renewed strength to continue fighting for justice. The current authoritarian regime will not endure—history never sides with injustice,” he said.
The case dates back to April 2, 2015, during a nationwide general strike, when the leaders were accused of obstructing a district judge at Belonia Court during a picketing protest. A suo motu case was registered, and the Belonia District Court sentenced them to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 500 each, a verdict later upheld by the Tripura High Court.
After surrendering before the court on March 1, 2025, the leaders spent four months in custody before receiving interim bail in July. With the Supreme Court ruling that their time served was sufficient punishment, the three were finally freed on Wednesday.
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