Ratan Dolui@Dolai And Another v. State Of West Bengal And ANR

13.04.2026 Item no. 74.

Court No.8.

AB CRA (DB) 3 of 2025 With CRAN 1 of 2026 In the matter of : Ratan Dolui ......Petitioner/ Appellant.

Mr. Ayan Poddar Mr. Soumen Mohanty Mr. Agnish Basu Mr. Aditya Roy ......for the Appellant/ Petitioner.

Mrs. Anasuya Sinha, ld. APP Ms. Snigdha Saha ......for the State.

Dictated by Arijit Banerjee, J.

In re : CRAN 1 of 2026 (Ratan Dolui) 1.

The appellants were granted bail by a Coordinate Bench by an order dated March 18, 2025, on inter alia the condition that they will not enter the territorial jurisdiction of Nandigram Police Station except for the purpose of attending Court proceedings, until further orders. The appeal was against an order passed by the learned Trial Court refusing bail to the appellants.

2.

One of the appellants now prays for relaxation of the condition of bail restraining him from entering the territorial jurisdiction of Nandigram Police Station. He says that his residence is situate within the territorial jurisdiction of that police station. He has not been able to visit his home for more than a year. He has been complying with the bail conditions scrupulously. Hence, his prayer should be allowed.

3.

Learned State Counsel files a report from which we find that the petitioner is indeed complying with the conditions of bail.

4.

We also find that before the learned Trial Court, only the first prosecution witness is being examined. There are 43 charge sheet named witnesses. It is anybody's guess when the trial will conclude.

5.

In view of the aforesaid, taking a lenient view of the matter, we are inclined to waive the condition restraining the petitioner from entering the territorial jurisdiction of Nandigram Police Station, but with effect from May 10, 2026, i.e. after declaration of the results of the ensuing Assembly Election.

6.

Accordingly, we permit the petitioner to enter the territorial jurisdiction of Nandigram Police Station with effect from May 10, 2026. Before that, only on the day of the election in the relevant Constituency, i.e. on April 23, 2026, the petitioner may enter the territorial jurisdiction of Nandigram Police Station only for the purpose of casting his vote and for no other purpose. We clarify that immediately after casting his vote, he will leave the territorial jurisdiction of Nandigram Police Station.

7.

All other conditions of bail remain unaltered. 8.

CRAN 1 of 2026 stands disposed of.

(Biswaroop Chowdhury, J.) (Arijit Banerjee, J.)