Proclamation order issued against Bimal Gurung, 5 others

ENS | Kolkata | October 19, 2017: Ordering Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung, and five others to appear and surrender before it on November 23, a Darjeeling court Wednesday issued a proclamation order against them in connection with the June 8 flare-up that is said to have triggered the latest round of violence in the Hills.

Through a proclamation order, a court declares a person as a proclaimed offender, and their name and details are made public. Depending on court proceedings and investigating agencies, the next step would be to attach property of the absconders. Gurung and his associates are wanted in the June 8 episode in which GJM supporters clashed with police outside Bhanu Bhawan in Darjeeling when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was holding a meeting. The next day, police filed a suo motu case and investigation was handed over to CID. Later, a lookout notice was issued against accused and, last month, a court issued a non-bailable warrant against them.

“If, even after non-bailable warrant, the accused doesn’t appear in court, then the judge can declare the accused “Proclaimed Offender” under Section 82 and 83 of the Code of Criminal Procedure”, explained an official.

Besides Gurung, the order names GJM convener and his wife Asha Gurung, secretary Roshan Giri, GJM leaders Prakash Gurung President, Amrit Yonzon general Secretary of the Yuva Morcha and Ashok Chettri. The accused were booked under sections 147-149 (rioting with arms and unlawful assembly), 153-153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 323-326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 332-353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant), 436 (mischief by fire and explosive substance), 506 (criminal intimidation), 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and other sections of IPC. Sections of West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act (WBMPO) and PDPP Act, among others.