By Firstdespatch Desk Oct 09, 2025
Agartala, Oct 9 (FD) 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—reducing their prison sentences in recognition of their good conduct. The directive, issued by a double bench comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice SVN Bhatti, reached the Belonia Sub-Jail on Wednesday, leading to their release later in the evening.
The trio, who had been serving time in connection with a 2015 case related to a general strike protest, walked free amid emotional scenes as hundreds of party workers and supporters gathered outside the jail. They were greeted with flowers and slogans by CPI(M) South District acting secretary Mihir Patari, Belonia Sub-Divisional Secretary Bijoy Tilak, MLA Dipankar Sen, and several other leaders.
Speaking to reporters after his release, CPI(M) South District Secretary Tapas Dutta said the verdict was a victory for truth and justice.
“Our struggle has always been for the rights of the working class. This case dragged on for ten long years, but our party stood firmly by us throughout. We are deeply grateful for that trust and solidarity,” Dutta said.
He added that the party would continue its fight against the “autocratic BJP rule” in the state, asserting that “no regime built on injustice can last forever.”
The case dates back to April 2, 2015, when a nationwide general strike was called. During a picketing protest near the Belonia Court premises in South Tripura, police alleged that the three leaders obstructed a district judge from entering the court. Acting on this allegation, police registered a suo motu case against them.
Following a prolonged trial, the Belonia District Court sentenced the trio to two years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹500 each, a verdict later upheld by the Tripura High Court. The leaders subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court and, on March 1 this year, surrendered before the Belonia court in compliance with judicial directions.
After spending nearly four months in custody as undertrial prisoners, the apex court granted them interim bail on July 31, directing them to submit affidavits acknowledging any unintentional wrongdoing. However, when the case was not listed for hearing on the scheduled date of August 28, they were compelled to return to jail.
Finally, during the latest hearing on Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled that the period already spent in prison constituted sufficient punishment and ordered their immediate release.
The decision has brought an emotional closure to a decade-long legal battle, evoking jubilation among CPI(M) workers and sympathizers across South Tripura, who hailed it as a moral victory for the Left movement in the state. FD JK