Supreme Court Upholds Bail Conditions in High-Profile West Bengal Murder Case

Applications for Modification and Cancellation of Bail Conditions Denied; Court Emphasizes Finality and Judicial Discipline

In a significant ruling on November 26, 2025, the Supreme Court of India rejected applications seeking the modification and cancellation of bail conditions for SK. Md. Anisur Rahaman, an accused in a high-profile murder case in West Bengal. The judgment, delivered by a bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih, emphasized the importance of judicial finality and discipline.

The case revolves around the murder of Kurban Sha in 2019, allegedly due to a political conspiracy involving Rahaman. Despite being granted bail by the Supreme Court on January 3, 2025, Rahaman was restricted to remain within Kolkata, a condition he sought to modify. Concurrently, Afjal Ali Sha, the victim’s brother, filed for the cancellation of Rahaman’s bail, arguing that his release compromised the fairness of the trial.

The bench, after a detailed examination of the case's history and the arguments presented, concluded that there were no sufficient grounds to alter the original bail conditions. The court highlighted that the modification of bail terms would undermine the stringent conditions initially imposed to balance the rights of the accused and ensure the integrity of the trial. The judges also noted the absence of any significant change in circumstances that would warrant revisiting the bail conditions.

Justice Datta, writing for the bench, underscored the principle of maintaining the sanctity and finality of judicial decisions, cautioning against reopening settled matters without compelling reasons. The court also rejected Afjal’s application for bail cancellation, citing a lack of conclusive evidence of any breach of conditions by Rahaman.

In their decision, the justices reiterated that while judicial orders are not infallible, their finality is crucial to prevent endless litigation and maintain public confidence in the judiciary.

The court expressed concerns over the conduct of the trial and the role of the state, noting attempts to shield the accused and instances of prosecution witnesses turning hostile. However, it emphasized that such concerns did not justify altering the bail conditions at this stage of the trial.

Additionally, the judgment addressed critical remarks made by a lower court against the Special Public Prosecutor, setting aside references to the Legal Remembrancer regarding prosecutorial conduct. The Supreme Court encouraged the Special Public Prosecutor to continue handling the trial with integrity and diligence.

This decision marks a pivotal moment in the case, with the Supreme Court reaffirming its commitment to ensuring justice while upholding procedural rigor and judicial discipline.

Bottom Line:

Application for modification of bail condition and cancellation of bail - Supreme Court rejected the applications for modification of the bail condition restricting movement of the accused to Kolkata and for cancellation of bail - Held, sufficient reasons must exist for modification, and breach of bail conditions must be conclusively established for cancellation of bail.

Statutory provision(s): Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 Section 439, Indian Penal Code, 1860 Sections 302, 120B, Arms Act, 1959 Sections 25, 27.

SK. MD. Anisur Rahaman v. State Of West Bengal, (SC) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2812854