In a recent development, the District and Sessions Court of South Tripura upheld the previous ruling of the lower court, resulting in a two-year prison sentence for three leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) from the Belonia sub-division. Tapas Dutta, Trilokesh Sinha, and Babul Debnath were found guilty in connection with the assault on the Belonia court that occurred on September 2, 2015.
The initial verdict was delivered by the Belonia lower court, which sentenced the three accused CPM leaders to two years of rigorous imprisonment. Dissatisfied with the decision, they appealed against the verdict in the District Court. However, District and Sessions Court Judge Ashutosh Pandey upheld the judgment of the lower court.
The incident in question involved verbal abuse and pressure exerted on the then District and Sessions Judge, Ruhidas Pal, to close the court during a Bandh called by the Leftists. Prompt police action was taken, and subsequently, Tapas Dutta, Trilokesh Sinha, and Babul Debnath were charged. The case was thoroughly investigated, and 22 witnesses were presented in the Belonia JM First Class Court.
The court, after a careful consideration of the evidence, pronounced its verdict. The accused were sentenced to two months of imprisonment and a fine of five hundred rupees under Section 447/34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Failure to pay the penalty would result in an additional ten days in jail. Furthermore, the accused were sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 353/34 of the IPC. The sentences would run concurrently.
Following the judgment, the three accused separately appealed for bail in the District and Sessions Court. The court consolidated the appeals and Judge Ashutosh Pandey upheld the ruling of the lower court.
This verdict serves as a reminder that acts of violence and obstruction of justice will not be tolerated within the legal system. The court’s decision reaffirms the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and integrity of judicial institutions.
