A Delhi court on Friday granted interim anticipatory bail to the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) General Secretary Nigam Bhandari in the case related to a shirtless protest at the India AI Impact Summit.
Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Prashant Sharma of the Patiala House Court said the order would remain in force till the next date of hearing of the case on March 24.
"For balancing rights of the parties and for the purpose of getting sufficient material on record for deciding this application, interim anticipatory bail is granted to applicant Nigam Bhandari, subject to following terms and conditions. In the event of his arrest, applicant be released on bail subject to furnishing of personal bond/surety bond in the sum of ₹25,000 each subject to the satisfaction of concerned IO/ SHO/Arresting Officer," the Court ordered.
Senior Advocate Rebecca John appeared for Bhandari and argued that he was not present at the spot, had undergone a jaw surgery, has no criminal antecedents, strong social roots and was willing to join the investigation. She said he has not been served with any police notice and the offences are not grave and carry a maximum sentence of five-year sentence.
John added that peaceful protest is constitutionally protected and there is no evidence of conspiracy or incriminating communication. However, the Delhi Police argued that Bhandari's custodial interrogation is necessary as the co-accused are in custody and the investigation is at an early stage. It was stated that the applicant is central to planning a well-executed conspiracy, where physical presence is unnecessary.
Members of the IYC staged a shirtless protest inside the India AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam on February 20. A total of 11 persons have been arrested by the Delhi Police in the case till now. A Delhi court on Thursday sent three more Youth Congress workers to police custody. Judicial Magistrate Mridul Gupta remanded accused Siddharth, Saurabh and Arbaaz to police custody for three days.
The three were arrested by Delhi Police from Himachal and produced before the Magistrate on Thursday .
Meanwhile, a Delhi court has held that Uday Bhanu Chib, who is head of the Congress party’s youth wing and was made an accused in a case registered over a peaceful protest at the AI Summit in the national capital, is entitled to a copy of the first information report against him.
Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Ravi of the Patiala House Courts has directed police to supply an FIR copy to Chib. Police, on the other hand, claimed that the FIR was 'sensitive in nature' and opposed giving Chib a copy.
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