HC grants anticipatory bail to Cong MLA in arson case

The Calcutta High Court today granted anticipatory bail to Congress MLA Amitabha Bhattacharya, who apprehended arrest in connection with an FIR against him alleging involvement in arson after a boat capsize at Santipur in Nadia district.
Bhattacharya claimed that he was not involved in setting fire to a mechanised boat following unrest among relatives of people who went missing following the boat capsize on May 16.
The MLA's counsel submitted before a division bench comprising Justices Nadira Patheriya and G C Dey that Bhattacharya had been beaten up by a mob when he was helping in rescue operations and was admitted to state-run JNM Hospital at Kalyani on the day when the arson occurred.

At least 20 people had died in the mishap.
An FIR had been lodged against seven persons, including Bhattacharya alleging their involvement in the arson.
The state counsel opposed the bail prayer.
After hearing both the parties, the division bench granted Bhattacharya's anticipatory bail prayer.