Delhi Court Grants Bail
Delhi Court Grants Bail to Seventeen Students and Freelance Journalists Arrested at Protest
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Key Points
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Police alleged the protesters formed an unlawful assembly, obstructed public space despite prohibitory orders, manhandled officers and broke glass in the vehicle used to detain them. Police sought 14 days’ judicial custody, arguing they might commit further violence if released.
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The defence argued that no specific roles had been attributed to the accused and that police had provided no CCTV footage to support the allegations. Counsel also contended that the offences carried sentences of less than seven years and the arrests were therefore unwarranted.
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The court set bail bonds at ₹15,000 for each accused, with one surety for the same amount.
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The court specified that all the offences were bailable except the charge under Section 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which concerns assault or criminal force intended to deter a public servant from performing official duties; it noted that even this offence carries a maximum two-year prison term.
A Delhi court granted bail to 17 students and freelance journalists arrested during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, rejecting police demands for two weeks of custody Dainik Jagran. The judge acknowledged that violence allegations were serious but ruled that most charges were bailable and the accused were young first-time offenders.
Each protester was released on ₹15,000 bail bonds with a matching surety. The court also directed authorities to provide medical care for injured accused and imposed strict conditions: attend all hearings, avoid contacting witnesses, and obtain permission before leaving India Economic Times.
Police Accused Protesters of Unlawful Violence
Police alleged that the 17 accused formed an unlawful assembly and obstructed public space despite prohibitory orders Awaz The Voice. Officers claimed protesters manhandled them and broke glass in the detention vehicle. Police sought 14 days of custody, arguing the accused might commit further violence if released immediately.
Defence Challenged Police Evidence in Court
Lawyers for the accused attacked the police case, noting that no specific roles had been assigned to any protester Dainik Jagran. They stressed that police provided no CCTV footage to back up violence claims. Counsel also pointed out that the offences carried prison terms under seven years, making arrest legally questionable.
Court Found Most Charges Were Legally Bailable
The judge ruled that all offences were bailable except one charge under Section 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which covers assault intended to deter a public servant Economic Times. Even that charge carries a maximum two-year prison term. The court determined the young accused posed no serious flight risk or danger to witnesses.
Bail Conditions Include Reporting Requirements
Each of the 17 accused must appear at all scheduled court hearings and avoid any contact with police witnesses Lokmarg. They cannot interfere with evidence or attempt to influence the investigation. The court also barred all accused from leaving India without explicit written permission, cementing their continued availability for trial.
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