City
Epaper

Mamata meme: Show-cause notice to Bengal government over delay in BJP activist's release

By IANS | Updated: July 1, 2019 14:20 IST

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a show cause notice to the West Bengal government in connection with a contempt plea filed over the delay in release from jail, BJP youth leader Priyanka Sharma, who was arrested for allegedly posting on the social media a meme on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Open in App

The state government has been asked to reply within four weeks.

Sharma, a BJP Yuva Morcha leader, was arrested on May 10 on a complaint by a local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and charged with defamation under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code and under provisions of the Information Technology Act.

The top court has termed her arrest as "prima facie arbitrary" and granted her bail ordering "immediate release".

However, a petition filed by her brother Rajiv Sharma in the Supreme Court alleged that there was a deliberate delay in releasing Sharma and that she was kept in jail for an extra day.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi took exception to the delay by the West Bengal government in keeping Sharma behind the bars despite the bail order.

The state government said her release took time due to delay in receiving a certified copy of the top court order, which is mandatory as per the state's jail manual rules.

"This is not done. First of all, her arrest was arbitrary... And jail manuals can't have superintendence over the Supreme Court," said the apex court.

Sharma was accused of sharing on the social media a photo of Banerjee photoshopped on a picture of Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra from a MET Gala event held in New York City.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: Rajiv SharmaThe Supreme CourtSupreme CourtRanjan Gogoibanerjee
Open in App

Related Stories

Mumbai2006 Mumbai Train Blasts Case: Supreme Court Stays Bombay High Court Order Acquitting 12 Accused

NationalSupreme Court Asks MEA to Trace Russian Woman and Return Child's Custody To Father

NationalRecording Phone calls Is Not Violation of Privacy in Marital Disputes, Says SC

NationalSupreme Court Issues Notice to Bihar and Delhi Governments Over Minor Girl's Plea Against Forced Child Marriage

NationalThane-Ghodbunder Tunnel: Supreme Court Accepts Maharashtra Govt's Decision to Scrap Rs 14,000 Crore Bid, Big Relief to L&T

National Realted Stories

NationalGovt and agency should find conspirators of Malegaon bomb blast: Bhaiyaji Joshi

NationalUP Police telecom gets 1,494 new recruits as CM Yogi hands over appointment letters

NationalCM Mohan Majhi announces ex gratia for 6 Odia migrants killed in Andhra quarry blast

NationalTelangana ranks number one in organ donation

NationalManipur govt expands police organisation to boost policing capability