A Delhi court on Friday granted bail to six individuals who were arrested over a month ago for their involvement in an anti-pollution agitation near India Gate. The court observed that keeping them in custody served "no fruitful purpose" as the investigation did not require their presence and the prosecution failed to establish any risk of them fleeing or tampering with evidence.
Court's Reasoning for Granting Bail
Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal ordered the release of Ilakkiya, Ayisha Wafiya Midhath, Ravjot Kaur, Gurkirat Kaur, Abhinash Satapathy, and Kranti alias Priyanshu. They were taken into police custody following a protest at Kartavya Path on November 23. The judge noted it was an "admitted position" that 16 co-accused in the case had already been granted bail.
Significantly, the court pointed out that the prosecution's reply did not claim any of the bail applicants were members of the banned Radical Students Organisation, which has alleged links with Maoist groups. The prosecution had opposed the bail pleas, arguing the protesters were affiliated mainly with the Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch and Himkhand groups. However, the court stated the prosecution did not declare these left-wing student and advocacy groups as banned organisations.
Allegations by the Prosecution
While opposing bail, the prosecution had levelled several allegations against the protesters. It claimed they blocked traffic at C-Hexagon Road and obstructed police officers from performing their duties. The prosecution also alleged that the demonstrators raised slogans unrelated to the issue of pollution.
Further accusations included that one of the accused caused simple injuries to a police constable by using pepper spray. The prosecution also claimed that some protesters shouted slogans in support of slain Maoist commander Madvi Hidma.
Bail Conditions and Case Status
The court set specific conditions for granting bail. Each accused must furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety of the same amount. They are required to join the investigation whenever needed and are restrained from leaving India without obtaining prior permission from the court.
Police officials stated that a total of 23 protesters had been arrested in two separate cases related to the incident. With this latest court order, bail has been granted to all except one individual, whose bail application is still pending finalisation.
