Calcutta HC rejects anticipatory bail of CPI(M) leader Firdous Shamim again, extends protection till April 8

The anticipatory bail plea of Firdous Shamim, a CPI(M) leader and lawyer accused of sexually harassing his junior, has once again been rejected by the Calcutta High Court. However, the court extended his interim protection, directing that no coercive action, including arrest, be taken against him until April 8. Justice Joy Sengupta also scheduled the next hearing in the matter for April 24.

The case stems from a complaint filed by a junior female lawyer at Hare Street police station, alleging that Shamim unlawfully confined her, subjected her to sexual harassment, and made obscene remarks. She further accused him of intimidation and inappropriate behaviour during the incident, raising serious concerns about abuse of power within the legal profession.

Shamim had earlier been granted interim protection by the court, which has now been extended despite the rejection of his anticipatory bail plea. The development comes amid heightened scrutiny over the case, particularly due to the involvement of prominent lawyers from different political backgrounds representing him.

Legal arguments in Shamim’s defence were presented by senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, along with Bilwadal Bhattacharya, and others including Kallol Mondal and Rajdeep Majumdar. The composition of the legal team has drawn criticism from political quarters, with allegations of a tacit understanding between rival parties intensifying the controversy surrounding the case.