A driver employed with the Ministry of Home Affairs, arrested for allegedly infiltrating a WhatsApp group of industrial workers and posting inciting audio messages linked to the April 13 unrest, has been granted bail by fast-track court-II in Noida.
Court Orders Release on Personal Bond
Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Choudhary ordered the release of Anil Kumar on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and a surety of the same amount on June 3. The court imposed strict conditions, stating that the applicant will not exert any pressure on the plaintiff or witnesses, nor intimidate or threaten any witnesses. He must cooperate in the trial, remain present in court on every date, refrain from seeking any adjournment, and avoid causing any kind of dispute in the future.
No Evidence of Active Violent Role
Allowing the bail application, the judge noted that the case diary indicates Kumar is accused of joining the ‘Richa Global Group’ on WhatsApp and posting provocative audio clips. However, the court observed that no specific active violent role has been shown in the documents to establish his involvement in the said audio post and the incident. The court further added that with three other co-accused already on bail, and without making any comment on the merits and demerits of the case, there was sufficient basis to grant him bail.
Background of the Case
Kumar’s name first surfaced on May 19 during proceedings in the Supreme Court. Manik Gupta, the lawyer appearing for Aditya Anand and Rupesh Roy—two others accused of inciting the unrest—alleged that the WhatsApp chat relied upon by the police for their probe had been infiltrated by cops themselves. Gupta claimed that Kumar was a police driver and had posted inciting messages in the same group. Noida police arrested Kumar on May 20 and added him to FIR No. 169.
Defense Arguments
Kumar’s counsel argued that he is innocent and has been implicated due to a personal grudge. The lawyer stated that Kumar is not named in the case and does not hold a job with any company, so there is no question of him inciting a riot. He did not conspire to incite a riot through a WhatsApp group, nor did he cause any property damage. Kumar earns his living by working as a driver in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The defense further claimed that Kumar was on duty on the day of the incident. “Police abducted him from his rented house, falsely implicated him, and sent him to jail,” the lawyer said.
Prosecution Opposition
According to court records, the state opposed the bail application but did not advance any arguments to support its objection.
