Shakir Ali gets conditional bail in Ram Navami riot case; was arrested 3 days ago by NIA

In a major legal development, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Friday granted conditional bail to Trinamool Congress (TMC) councilor Shakir Ali just three days after his high-profile arrest. Ali, who is the husband of former TMC MP Aparupa Poddar and a sitting councilor in the Rishra Municipality, had been taken into custody by central investigators on Tuesday. While his initial bail application on medical grounds was rejected immediately following his arrest, the special court reversed its stance during Friday's hearing after evaluating fresh arguments presented by his legal defense team.

The central agency had registered a criminal case against Ali over his alleged involvement in instigating communal violence during a Ram Navami procession in Rishra in 2023. Investigators alleged that the local leader continuously incited unrest, which prompted central field agents to execute an arrest operation at his residence on Gandhi Road. The detention had triggered severe public anger, with neighborhood residents surrounding the police escort and claiming that the charges were entirely fabricated. Locals defended the councilor, asserting that he had actively worked to maintain communal harmony and protect residents during the initial 2023 clashes.

During the arguments, Ali's defense counsel emphasized that the councilor is currently battling critical health complications, including a suspected cancer diagnosis, oxygen circulation deficiencies, and a requirement for regular specialized testing. The defense further pointed out that Ali had consistently cooperated with the federal probe, marking his appearance on both occasions when the NIA issued prior investigative summonses. Acknowledging his medical status and past compliance, the judge approved his release under strict conditions, requiring Ali to report to the NIA office every fifteen days and prohibiting him from traveling outside the state without prior judicial clearance.