Bombay HC Grants Interim Relief To Former TISS Student In Campus Slogan Case

Mumbai, August 14, 2026: The Bombay High Court on Friday awarded interim protection from arrest to former Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) student Kamakhya Das, who faces charges for raising inflammatory slogans at an unauthorized campus event. The court decided against imposing custodial interrogation, noting that Das's mobile phone and laptop have already been seized.

The court ruled that "considering the nature of the allegations and the fact that the mobile phone and laptop of the applicant are already seized, at this stage, custodial interrogation need not be insisted upon." Das has been ordered to appear at the designated police station and before investigators whenever summoned until the subsequent hearing on August 31.

The case arose from an FIR registered at the Trombay police station following a complaint by the TISS Registrar. Prosecutors claim that on October 12, 2025, nine students gathered on campus to honor former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba. They allege that the gathering included candle lighting, recitation of revolutionary poetry, and the raising of slogans demanding the release of Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid, both charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Das petitioned the High Court after a Mumbai sessions court denied his application for anticipatory bail. His lawyer, Senior Advocate Mihir Desai, argued that Das had cooperated fully with the investigation and possessed no criminal history. He contended that merely attending a memorial or using phrases like "Rest in Power" did not warrant criminal charges.

Desai pointed out that seven of the nine accused students had already been granted anticipatory bail, asking, "Gen Z tend to be a little hot-headed and say things that they may or may not understand. Whether they should be jailed for that?" The prosecution contends that a more extensive conspiracy was uncovered, involving secessionist ideology.

Chief Public Prosecutor Shishir Hiray argued that forensic analysis revealed deleted applications and electronic literature promoting secession, Khalistan, and Maoist ideology. Hiray also alleged that Das threatened a police officer and stated that materials found on his devices suggested a larger plot. The court granted Das temporary protection from arrest and scheduled the case for further hearing on August 31.