Madan Mitra released from jail

Mitra was released from Alipore jail at around 6.45 AM and taken to a hotel in the southern part of the city within the Bhowanipore police station jurisdiction as per the conditions set by the court for granting him bail after over 21 months in prison.

Mitra could not be taken back to his residence as it is within Kalighat police station jurisdiction.

"I'm very happy. I'm happy that I'll be with my family. I'm a civilised person and I'll abide all the conditions of the court. I'll not break the law. Now I'll take complete rest and enjoy my time with my family members and enjoy Durga Puja," Mitra said after his release.

"Time will prove my innocence," he added as his followers gathered outside the hotel and distributed sweets.

Mitra's counsel said an appeal would be made to the court so that he could go to his residence. "Because the court is closed today the plea will be made next week," his counsel Niladri Bhattacharya told PTI.

Yesterday, Alipore sessions court granted bail to Mitra, a former transport minister, on two sureties of Rs 15 lakh each.

He was directed to appear before the court on November 23, surrender his passport to CBI and appear before the CBI investigating officer once every week. He was directed not to go out of the Bhowanipore police station jurisdiction area.

Mitra, who was arrested on December 12, 2014, was granted bail by a lower court last year. The TMC leader had surrendered before the court after his bail was cancelled by the Calcutta High Court on November 20 last year.

Former Union minister Matang Sinh is among those arrested in the case, while several TMC functionaries, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's close aide Mukul Roy, have been questioned.

CBI had taken over the investigation in June, 2014 on the order of the Supreme Court.