Bimal Gurung and Roshan Giri labelled “Proclaimed Offenders” by Darjeeling Court

Wepen, June 25, 2019: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders Bimal Gurung, Roshan Giri along with four others were declared “proclaimed offenders” by a Darjeeling court on Tuesday. Notices to this effect were pasted in different parts of Darjeeling including Giri’s house by the police on Tuesday.

“The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court has declared Bimal Gurung, Roshan Giri and others as proclaimed offenders. They can be arrested from anywhere in the country without arrest warrants now” stated Tirtha Sarathi Nath, Inspector-in-charge of Darjeeling Sadar Police station.

Gurung has been charged in a Darjeeling sadar police station case number 124/17 dated 16-6-17. He has been charged under sections 448, 386, 435 of the Indian Penal Code.

Roshan Giri and others have been charged under sections 427, 436, 341 IPC read with sections of the PDPP Act and WBMPO Act. The others include Priyavardhan Rai, Sabitri Rai, Suman Rai and Subash Rai.

In case of Bimal Gurung the WPA had been issued on 22-3-19.  Despite Warrant Pending Arrest (WPA) issued in their names the execution reports (E/R) are still awaited hence the Court declared them “proclaimed offenders.”

Incidentally in June 2017 following clashes between Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters and security forces in Darjeeling on June 8, the GJM under the leadership of Bimal Gurung had launched an agitation in the Hills.

The agitation culminated in a 105 day long band and witnessed numerous flashpoints between security forces and GJM supporters. Arson of government property including police vehicles along with bursting of improvised explosive devises were a part of the 105 day long bandh.

Gurung, General Secretary Giri and other leaders of the GJM were implicated in numerous cases and have been absconding since then.

Gurung has however been trying to revive his faction of the GJM. He has been constantly sending video and audio clips, circulating them in social media sites.

GJM (Bimal faction) leaders who have been implicated in different cases but have managed to secure bail have been trying to revive the party in the Hills. They had supported the BJP in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections in the Darjeeling constituency.

On Monday the Circuit Bench of Calcutta High Court in Jalpaiguri ordered Gurung and Giri to file as affidavit mentioning the reasons for the prayer for anticipatory bail.

The Division Bench comprising of Justices Harish Tandon and Hiranmay Bhattacharyya also asked the West Bengal Government to file an affidavit as to why they were opposing the plea by Gurung and Giri for anticipatory bail.