kolkata

IIR DIGITAL DESK : August 6, 2025, the Calcutta High Court granted interim relief to veteran actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty, issuing an order that shields him from arrest in connection with an FIR filed at Chitpur Police Station, until September 10. The matter was brought before a bench led by Justice Jay Sengupta, which also called for the submission of the case diary by September 3 .

The legal dispute stems from accusations filed by Mithun’s former secretary, Suman Roychowdhury, and his wife, who alleged financial fraud and breach of promise. They claimed that Roychowdhury was employed by Chakraborty and close aide and lawyer Biman Sarkar, tasked with coordinating work on a hotel interior decoration project—a portion of which Roychowdhury alleges went unpaid. While some payments amounting to ₹35 lakh were reportedly received, the complainants assert further work was demanded without agreement or documentation. When they pressed for due payment, harassment followed, prompting them to file the complaint at Chitpur Police Station.

Chakraborty approached the High Court seeking interim legal protection and quashing of coercive measures. The court returned a favorable interim order: no arrest or coercive action against him until the Court’s next hearing opportunity in September. Soliciting the case diary was part of the court’s procedural direction leading up to the next phase of hearings .

Chakraborty’s legal shield complements a series of earlier interventions by the Calcutta High Court. In March 2025, the court had stayed any police investigation into a separate FIR against him—filed over allegedly provocative speech made at a BJP event—effectively halting coercive measures in that matter as well . The High Court framed the remarks as contextual film dialogues, eventually quashing that earlier case too, deeming it vexatious and without sufficient substance .

Mithun Chakraborty's standing in West Bengal’s political and cultural scene has, in recent months, been intertwined with both legal scrutiny and public attention. As a celebrated figure in Hindi and Bengali cinema, recipient of national accolades including the Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and former Rajya Sabha member, Chakraborty commands substantial influence. His affiliation with the BJP since 2021 has also placed him in the public eye politically and drawn scrutiny regarding his public statements .

Through the latest judicial reprieve, the High Court has once again underscored principles of due process, cautioning against arbitrary arrest proceedings while legal challenges remain active. The interim protection until September allows legal counsel time to defend against the allegations without the immediate threat of detention.

Prosecution in both the financial dispute with his ex‑secretary and the earlier speech-related FIR will remain in abeyance pending further judicial review. For the complainants, the directive to produce the case diary by early September sets the procedural timeline; for Chakraborty, the interim shield maintains his status quo at least until the next court date.

The Court’s order reaffirms legal safeguards against premature punitive action, even as it leaves the larger disputes—contractual and speech‑related—open for further litigation.