Gauhati High Court Quashes NSA Imposed on Victor Das

Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court on Friday quashed the National Security Act (NSA) detention imposed on Victor Das by the state government, clearing the way for his release after months in custody.

Das had been detained under the stringent provisions of the NSA, which allowed authorities to keep him behind bars despite courts granting him bail in criminal cases registered at Ambari and Azara police stations in Guwahati.

He was initially arrested in connection with violence that broke out during protests demanding justice for late singer Zubeen Garg. A case was first registered against him at Ambari Police Station. Although he secured bail from a lower court in that matter, he was re-arrested within the court premises in connection with another case filed at Azara Police Station.

In November last year, the High Court had granted him bail in the Azara case, imposing conditions including a security deposit of Rs 30,000 and a surety, along with directions to cooperate with the investigation.

However, despite obtaining bail in both cases, Das remained in custody due to the preventive detention order under the NSA. An Advisory Board had earlier upheld the government’s decision, allowing his detention to continue irrespective of bail orders.

With the High Court now striking down the NSA order, Das is expected to walk free, subject to compliance with the bail conditions in the pending cases. 

ALSO READ: “I Am Not a Terrorist”: Why Is Victor Das Being Held Under NSA for Seeking Justice for Zubeen Garg?