Bombay High Court Grants Interim Protection to Former TISS Student Kamakhya Das
The Bombay High Court on Friday granted interim protection from arrest to former Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) student Kamakhya Das in connection with a case registered at Trombay police station over an unauthorized campus event in Mumbai.
Justice Prafulla Khubalkar observed that Das's mobile phone and laptop had already been seized by investigators, ruling that custodial interrogation was unnecessary at this stage. The court directed Das to report to the police station and cooperate with investigators whenever summoned, with the matter scheduled for its next hearing on August 31.
The case originated from a complaint lodged by the TISS Registrar at the Trombay police station following an incident on October 12, 2025. According to the prosecution, nine students assembled on the campus to pay tribute to former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba. The gathering reportedly included lighting candles, reciting revolutionary poetry, and raising slogans demanding the release of jailed activists Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid, who face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Das approached the High Court after a Mumbai sessions court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. Representing Das, Senior Advocate Mihir Desai stated that his client had no criminal antecedents and had fully cooperated with the probe, having appeared before investigators five times. Desai argued that attending a memorial or using phrases like "Rest in Power" did not amount to a criminal offence, noting that seven of the nine accused students had already been granted anticipatory bail.
Chief Public Prosecutor Shishir Hiray opposed the bail application, alleging a broader conspiracy involving secessionist activities. The prosecution argued that forensic analysis of Das's seized devices uncovered deleted applications and electronic literature promoting secession, Khalistan, and the ideology of the banned CPI (Maoist), alongside allegations that Das had threatened a police officer.
After reviewing the submissions, the High Court granted temporary protection from arrest and scheduled the next hearing for August 31.
