Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Arabul surrenders, walks out on bail

TNN | May 1, 2012, 03.22AM IST

BARUIPUR: Former Bhangar MLA and president of Bhangar College governing body Arabul Islam and his son Hakibul Islam on Monday surrendered before the additional chief judicial magistrate Suruteswar Mondal's court in Baruipur. Clad in white-and-blue shirt and trousers, Arabul entered the court around 10am on a Scorpio, packed with his supporters. The father-son duo was produced before the court at 1.55pm, and they walked out on bail bonds of Rs 1,000 each within 10 minutes.

Arabul and Hakibul were booked under section 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman), 143 (unlawful assembly), 341 (wrongful confinement), 323 (hurt) and 448 (house trespass). The duo were produced before ACJM . The magistrate granted the duo bail on Rs 1,000 bail bonds.

Two senior lawyers Hafizul Rehman and Siddhartha Ghosh pleaded for the former MLA and his son, who is the general secretary of the college students' union. They said their clients were respected political persons and their surrender showed they respect the judiciary system.

The lawyers also raised serious objections against the word "hoodlum" used by the complainant. According to the lawyers, use of such words is tantamount to defamation of their "reputed clients". "We are exploring the possibility of taking legal steps against use of such derogatory words," said one of them.

Last Tuesday, Arabul Islam allegedly hurled a jug at college teacher Debjani Dey after she expressed her displeasure over the whip issued by the governing body president for voting in favour of Trinamool candidates in the WBCUTA election. Arabul, however, denied the allegation saying he had never hurled any jug at her. He only objected against her wagging finger at him and a simple thing was blown out of proportion, Arabul claimed.

However, the government took stock of things and initiated action after the teachers met the governor. First, the teachers lodged a complaint with the additional SP (rural) of South 24-Parganas. Then, Arabul got a serious drubbing from the top brass of Trinamool Congress. Things started rolling fast. The administration also organized security at the college campus to avert any untoward incident.

On Monday, college teachers appeared satisfied with the developments as they could enter the college without any hassle. "We faced no problem in taking classes," said a teacher.

It does not speak very highly of our government, police and judiciary where a Jadavpur University professor Ambikesh Mahapatra was incarcerated in jail for 16 hours but a hoodlum was let off within 10 minutes. I see some lawyers have objected to the word "hoodlum" being used for their clients. Well, hoodlums are not born or go to college to get the degree of "hoodlum" Their actions make them "hoodlum". And without doubt, the act of Arabul Hussain of throwing a jug at a lady does deserve a title of "hoodlum"

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