Mamata Banerjee meme row: Hopeful that Priyanka Sharma will be released tomorrow, says BJYM leader

Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) National Secretary Saurav Sikandar on Tuesday said that party worker Priyanka Sharma will be released on Wednesday.

Sharma, a West Bengal BJP functionary was granted bail by the apex court after she was arrested for sharing a morphed picture of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Facebook.

Speaking on delay in the release of Priyanka's release, Sikandar told ANI, "We got SC's order around 5:30 PM; prison was closed by then. Still, we spoke to the jailor, she said they have received an e-mail but they cannot release Priyanka on the basis of it."

"The jailor has asked us to speak to concerned Chief Judicial Magistrate. Tomorrow we will also speak to DG prison. We are hopeful that we can take Priyanka home tomorrow," he said.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail Priyanka Sharma, who was arrested on May 10 for allegedly posting a morphed picture of state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Facebook, after waiving its earlier condition that she tenders a written apology.

"Subject to Priyanka Sharma tendering an apology in writing for putting up an objectionable picture on Facebook account, she shall be immediately released. At the time of release, she shall tender an apology in writing," a vacation bench comprising Justices Indira Banerjee and Sanjiv Khanna said in its previous order.

The court called back Sharma's lawyer Neeraj Kishan Kaul and informed him that it was waiving the condition of apology.

Senior advocate Kaul, during the hearing, contended that asking for an apology will amount to infringement of the Right to Freedom of Speech.

The bench also issued a notice to West Bengal police on Sharma's petition challenging her arrest. She was taken into custody on May 10 on a complaint by a Trinamool Congress member and produced a day later before a Howrah court which sent her to 14 days judicial custody.