In Brief
Bimal Gurung, President of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), sought transfer of all FIRs against himself and GJM members to a central investigation agency, alleging political persecution during a 2017 agitation for a separate Gorkhaland state. He claimed around 300 FIRs were lodged for alleged sedition, unlawful activities, bomb blasts, and violence. The Supreme Court dismissed the petition, holding that while it has power to transfer investigations, this must be exercised sparingly in rare exceptional cases. No substantive evidence of bias against specific police officials was shown. The Court found ample material showing severe property damage, police deaths, and violent conduct by GJM supporters during a 104-day bandh, distinguishing legitimate protest from unlawful agitation falling outside Article 19 protection.
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