Above: Bimal Gurung (file picture)

The Supreme Court on Friday (March 16) lifted the stay on the arrest of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader Bimal Gurung.

While lifting the stay, the bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan observed “it cannot be said to be a case of individual persecution by state.”

The bench was acting on the plea filed by Gurung seeking protection from arrest and the transfer of cases against him outside West Bengal. Additionally, he has also sought independent enquiry into the cases registered against him.

Following the order, Gurung could be arrested anytime soon. Gurung has been facing charges in as many as 50 cases.

—India Legal Bureau