Mamta Banerjee meme case: Supreme Court issues notice to Bengal govt on delay in release of BJP activist

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Monday issued a show cause notice to the West Bengal government on a contempt plea over the delay in releasing the BJP activist who was arrested for allegedly posting a meme on chief minister Mamata Banerjee on

social media

.


In the petition, it has been alleged that there was a delay in releasing activist Priyanka Sharma, despite the apex court's order granting bail to her.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi issued notices to the state government and others on the contempt plea filed by the activist's brother Rajib Sharma.

Priyanka Sharma, a BJP Yuva Morcha leader, was arrested on May 10 by the West Bengal Police under section 500 (

defamation

) of the

Indian Penal Code

and under provisions of the

Information Technology Act

.

The arrest was made on a complaint by a local Trinamool Congress leader.

On May 14, a vacation bench of the Supreme Court had granted bail to Priyanka Sharma.

Rajib Sharma has approached the apex court alleging that there was a delay of over 24 hours in releasing his sister from jail, despite the court's May 14 order.

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