Delhi court summons TMC leaders over 2024 protest outside Election Commission

A Delhi court has summoned senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien, in connection with a protest held outside the Election Commission of India (ECI) in April 2024, allegedly in violation of prohibitory orders.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Neha Mittal issued summons to several TMC leaders and members, including Sagarika Ghose, Saket Gokhle, Santanu Sen, Dola Sen, Nadimul Haque, Vivek Gupta, Arpita Ghosh, Abir Ranjan Biswas, and Sudip Raha, asking them to appear in court on April 30, 2025.

According to Delhi Police, the protest was conducted without the necessary permissions and in defiance of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which was in effect at the time to prohibit gatherings. Despite police warnings, the protestors allegedly continued their demonstration, prompting the registration of an FIR.

“I have reviewed the chargesheet and complaint. I find sufficient grounds to take cognisance of offences under Sections 188 (disobedience to order by a public servant), 145 (unlawful assembly), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code,” Magistrate Mittal said in her order.

The demonstration was organised by a 10-member TMC delegation following a meeting with the full bench of the ECI. The protestors voiced strong criticism against central agencies, including the CBI, NIA, ED, and Income Tax Department, demanding a change in leadership at these institutions.

TMC leaders accused the BJP-led central government of using these investigative agencies to target opposition parties in a politically motivated manner.

The matter is now scheduled for hearing on April 30.