Kolkata: The Kolkata High Court issued stay orders on the bail granted by the CBI Court on Monday to the four accused TMC’s two Ministers, one MLA and former TMC Minister. The Kolkata High Court in a late night hearing on Monday amidst raging Covid – 19 pandemic, after the CBI moved the higher platform of the state’s Judiciary challenging the CBI Court’s order.

The High Court postponed the hearing on the matter on Wednesday and till then the four accused, Firhad Hakim, Subrata Mukharkjee, Madan Mitra and Sovan Chatterjee, will be in judicial custody, said the Court. According to the sources the four will be taken to Alipore Presidency jail.

TMC supporters held demonstrations on Monday defying lockdown norms in various places. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered to Court arrest protesting detention of two West Bengal Ministers in the Narada case by CBI.

Special CBI Court Judge Anupam Mukherjee granted bail to senior Ministers Subrata Mukherjee and Firhad Hakim, MLA Madan Mitra and former Minister Sovan Chatterjee after hearing their lawyers and the CBI Counsel. The Kolkata High Court had ordered a CBI probe into the sting operation on April 16, 2017. CBI submitted its charge sheet in the Special Court against the four, besides IPS officer SMH Meerza who is already out on bail.

TMC accused the NDA Government of using the CBI for political vendetta due to the BJP’s recent loss in the Assembly election. During a virtual hearing, where the CBI submitted its charge sheet, Special CBI Judge Anupam Mukherjee granted bail to all four after hearing their lawyers and the CBI Counsel, lawyer Anindya Raut said.

The CBI moved a Division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice of Calcutta HC Rajesh Bindal and Justice Arijit Banerjee seeking cancellation of the bail. The Division bench said it deemed it appropriate to stay the Special Court’s order and direct that the accused person shall be treated to be in judicial custody till further orders.

The CBI was represented in the high court by Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta. Mamatha Banerjee sat on a dharna from 11 AM to around 5 PM demanding the release of the TMC leaders.