Agartala, August 7, 2025: The Tripura High Court has ordered a judicial inquiry into the controversial decision of the Additional District and Sessions Court in Belonia, which granted bail to six accused in a murder case, despite prior rejection of their pleas by the High Court itself.

Justice Biswajit Palit directed the Registrar Judicial to investigate the circumstances surrounding the bail order issued on July 25. Notices have also been served to the six accused, asking them to explain why their bail should not be revoked.

The case involves the alleged murder of CPIM leader Badal Shil, who was contesting for the South Tripura Zilla Parishad elections. He was fatally assaulted by a mob at Chotakhola on July 12 and later died at GBP Hospital in Agartala. Seven persons were arrested following an FIR, and a chargesheet has been filed implicating them in the crime.

According to senior advocate Purushottam Roy Barman, both the trial court and the High Court had earlier rejected the bail petitions of the six accused. The High Court had observed in March 2025 that the evidence against them appeared “solid.”

However, citing the commencement of the trial, the Belonia court granted bail to the same six accused in July, a move that legal experts say contradicts the earlier High Court ruling. This prompted a fresh petition challenging the trial court’s decision.

Justice Palit, while hearing the new plea, noted the seriousness of the matter and ordered an in-depth judicial probe. The High Court has sought individual responses from the accused regarding the bail, keeping open the possibility of cancellation depending on the findings of the inquiry.