Kolkata: Flower petals rained down and emotional embraces marked the release of 16 accused outside Bankshall Court on Tuesday evening after they were granted bail in connection with Friday’s protest over the alleged NEET paper leak.Family members, relatives, friends, human rights workers and politicians greeted them with cheers and flowers as they stepped out of court, bringing to an end an anxious day that began hours earlier.The accused were arrested in connection with a protest rally organised by eight Left student and youth organisations along with the city chapter of the Cockroach Janta Party. The demonstrators had demanded the resignation of Union Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the dissolution of the National Testing Agency over the alleged NEET paper leak.Supporters began assembling at Bankshall Court from around noon, and by the time the hearing commenced, the courtroom was packed with visitors, leaving little room even to stand. As the accused arrived in a prison van around 2.30 pm and were escorted into court, around 100 family members, neighbours, relatives and friends raised slogans of “set them free, set them free”.During the proceedings, the court initially remanded the 16 accused to two days’ judicial custody. Despite the setback, supporters remained outside court complex. As the legal process continued, some among them began making arrangements to buy garlands. Hours later, after the court granted bail to all 16, the mood outside transformed into one of celebration as supporters welcomed them with flowers and hugs.Yakub Ali Mal, father of accused Md Jahiruddin Mal, 32, claimed his son had been wrongly implicated. “I always believed in the innocence of my son. He has been to numerous protests before. He has always cooperated with police. It also comes as a relief that everyone who rallied with him is free today,” he said. Istiaq Khan, a relative of accused Shabaz Khan, 34, of Bright Street, also alleged that his relative had been falsely implicated. “He was falsely implicated. It is true that he was present in the protest but there is no proof that he was pelting stones” claimed Khan.Shabbir Ali, brother-in-law of Arshad Ali, a resident of Patwar Bagan in Rajabazar, said, “We were worried but had full faith in our judiciary.”Sagir Ahmed, cousin of accused Zamir Ahmed, said the family had been under considerable strain. “His parents have been in a lot of stress. When they heard about the bail they offered prayers in gratitude,” said Sagir.Sk Imran Hussain, brother of accused Sk Salman Hussain, said that his brother had participated in a peaceful protest. “We are extremely happy. The truth has prevailed. Our faith in the Constitution, judiciary and administration has been restored. My brother took part in the peaceful protest against NEET paper leaks and he was carrying the Tricolour and the Constitution. The Constitution gives us the right to protest and dissent. After the protest reached Esplanade, he even cleaned up the spot by picking up the used plastic bottles. There is no evidence against him,” he added.
