Dr. Ambikesh Mahapatra, a professor of physical chemistry in Jadavpur University who was arrested on Thursday night for publishing cartoons of Mamta Bannerjee has been granted bail .
Another person, Subrata Sengupta, the secretary of Mahapatra’s housing society,was also arrested as the professor allegedly used the society’s registered email id to send the cartoon strips.
Both Mahapatra and Sengupta were granted bail by the court of 2nd judicial magistrate (Alipore) Suparna Roy.
“All the sections under which Mahapatra and Sengupta were arrested were bailable and hence the court granted them bail. Moreover, one of the sections being non cognizable, the police were at fault in arresting him without a warrant,” said Mahapatra’s lawyer.
Mahapatra was also beaten allegedly by Trinamool Congress supporters while he was returning home and handed over to the police after filing a complaint against him.
The arrest has evoked widespread condemnation.
Trinamool Congress rebel MP Kabir Suman, condemning the arrest, said: “Even I have received the cartoon and I cannot fathom how it can be a cyber crime. It has been made in good humour. If he can be arrested today then who knows we may be arrested tomorrow.”
Political leaders cutting across party lines have been vocal in condemning the arrest. While Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state secretary Rahul Sinha called the action a blatant misuse of power, Congress leader O.P. Mishra said the move was an attack on the democracy and freedom of speech and expression.
Educationist Sunando Sanyal, once considered close to Banerjee, said: “This is not the change one had desired. It is unfortunate. I cannot understand how she (Banerjee) can take such a step. It shows her impatience.”
Actor Kaushik Sen said: “I could not suppress my smile when I heard about the issue. But at the same time this is a laughable matter. If somebody draws a cartoon he has to be arrested? This is ridiculous and alarming. I feel concerned. May be, later our plays will be stopped and our houses attacked.”
Students of Jadavpore university took printouts of the cartoon and displayed them in the campus, and put up posters opposing the arrest.
The government, however, defended the police action.
Transport Minister Madan Mitra said the act by Mahapatra was demeaning of a teacher while Labour Minister Purnendu Bose said: “It is an attempt to insult Banerjee and police have done what they are expected to do in such a case.”