Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has granted bail to several senior leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), including party MP Derek O’Brien, spokesperson and journalist-turned-politician Sagarika Ghosh, and party leader Saket Gokhale. The bail was granted in connection with their alleged involvement in a protest held outside the Election Commission of India (ECI) office in 2024.

A total of ten TMC leaders were summoned in the case. Nine appeared physically before the court on Monday, while Vivek Gupta, another party MP, joined the proceedings via video conferencing.

According to court orders, bail was granted to five sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) on a personal bond of ₹10,000 each. The remaining accused were granted bail on a personal bond of ₹10,000 with one surety of the same amount.

The protest in question had drawn significant media attention last year when TMC leaders accused the ECI of bias and demanded greater electoral transparency ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

The court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on May 21, 2025.

Background:

In 2024, the TMC had staged a high-profile demonstration outside the Election Commission's office in Delhi, alleging unfair treatment by the poll body. The protest was led by senior leaders and aimed at highlighting what the party claimed were irregularities in election conduct and administrative bias.

The Delhi Police had later registered a case against the leaders for violating prohibitory orders and causing disruption in a high-security zone.