Guwahati High Court Rejects Bail Plea of Fugitive Sujit Das Choudhury, Grants Bail to 3 Associates

The Gauhati High Court has rejected the bail plea of Sujit Das Choudhury, president of the Barak Valley Kaibarta Development Council while granting bail to his three associates, Jayanta Chakraborty, Rahul Paul, and Shibu Das. The decision, made by Justice Susmita Phukan Khaund on Friday, marks a significant development in the ongoing case involving allegations of assault and attempted murder.

Sujit Das Choudhury, who remains at large, is currently evading police arrest. Despite the ongoing manhunt, Cachar Police have been unable to trace his whereabouts. The incident in question took place at Ruby Wine Shop in the Ramnagar area on May 25, leading to an FIR being registered against Choudhury and his associates. While his three associates have been apprehended, Choudhury continues to challenge the authorities by remaining elusive.

On June 28, the Gauhati High Court, in the case “Suranjit Das Choudhury @ Sujit Das Choudhury and 3 Ors versus The State of Assam,” ruled on the anticipatory bail plea filed by the petitioners. Justice Susmita Phukan Khound, after hearing the counsel of the petitioner and the Additional Public Prosecutor of Assam, concluded that there were substantial incriminating materials against Sujit Das Choudhury.

“There are sufficient incriminating materials in the case diary, and the allegations are directed specifically against Surajit Das Choudhury by the victim. Considering the nature of injuries sustained by the victim and all aspects of the matter, the prayer for pre-arrest bail in favour of petitioner No. 1 (Sujit Das Choudhury) stands rejected,” the order read.

However, the court granted pre-arrest bail to his three associates, Jayanta Chakraborty, Rahul Paul, and Shibu Das, on the condition that they deposit rupees 50,000 each as a fine and follow the bail conditions.

The group, including Sujit and his associates, was accused of assaulting businessman Sukanta Kar, also known as Bapi, in the Ramnagar area near Silchar Tapobannagar. The infamous Sujit Choudhury had been evading arrest for nearly a month. Their initial bail pleas were rejected by the District and Sessions Judge’s Court of Cachar on June 10, prompting them to appeal to the High Court.

Three other associates of Sujit — Pijush Paul, Nitai Das, and Sushanta Roy — were also accused of assaulting Sukanta Kar and were arrested by police on May 29. They were released on bail on June 10 after spending a period in jail.

The incident occurred on May 25, when Sujit and his associates allegedly assaulted Sukanta Kar, the owner of Ruby Wine Shop, after he refused to provide them with free liquor due to Sujit’s outstanding credit of over fifty thousand rupees. The altercation escalated, leading to an alleged attempt on Kar’s life. Kar’s family claimed the attack was premeditated.

In an effort to deflect attention, Sujit gathered a crowd and accused Ruby Wine Shop of being a hub for illegal activities and anti-social behaviour. Despite substantial evidence supporting the assault allegations, Sujit has managed to evade police capture, raising questions about the effectiveness of the Cachar Police.

Kar’s family has been vocal about the need for justice. The ongoing evasion of the main accused in the case despite an FIR and significant evidence, continues to raise critical questions about the legal and police response to the case.