Latest bail plea News | Top bail plea News Headlines Today | Today India news | Breaking bail plea News Today | English bail plea News Headlines - TheDailyGuardian

Bangladesh Court Rejects Bail plea of ISCKON Priest Chinmoy Krishna Das

January 2, 2025, 11:59 am

A Chattogram court has denied bail to former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das during a hearing conducted under tight security, The Daily Star reported. The bail request was turned down by Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Saiful Islam after about 30 minutes of hearing both parties’ arguments, according to Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Advocate Mofizur Haque Bhuiyan.
Earlier today, 11 Supreme Court lawyers were set to participate in the bail hearing of Chinmoy Krishna Das. While speaking to The Daily Star, lawyer Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee had said, “We have come to Chattogram under the banner of Ainjibi Oikya Parishad, and we will move for Chinmoy in the court for his bail. I already got the Vakalatnama from Chinmoy. I’m a member of both the Supreme Court and Chattogram Bar associations, so I don’t need authorisation from any local lawyer to move the case.”
Earlier on December 3, 2024, Chittagong court had fixed January 2 for bail hearing as the prosecution submitted a time petition and there was no lawyer to represent Chinmoy.
The unrest in Bangladesh stems from the sedition charges filed against Chinmoy Krishna Das for allegedly raising a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s national flag in Chittagong on October 25. His arrest on November 25 sparked protests, culminating in violent clashes between his followers and law enforcement outside the Chattogram Court Building on November 27, which resulted in the death of a lawyer.
The situation worsened following additional arrests. According to ISKCON Kolkata, two monks, Adipurush Shyam Das and Ranganath Das Brahmachari, were detained on November 29 after visiting Chinmoy Krishna Das in custody. The organisation’s Vice President, Radha Raman, also claimed that rioters vandalised an ISKCON centre in Bangladesh during the unrest.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had also voiced concern over escalating violence and extremist rhetoric in Bangladesh, emphasising that it has consistently raised the issue of targeted attacks on minorities with Dhaka.

Wrong Evidence Presented Against Delhi Riots Accused Sharjeel Imam Says Counsel

December 12, 2024, 10:10 pm

The Delhi High Court on Thursday heard arguments on the bail plea of Sharjeel Imam, an accused in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots. His counsel argued that Sharjeel Imam never incited people to violence nor was he involved in any violence or overt acts.

A division bench of justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur, after hearing the arguments, listed the matter for further submissions by the Delhi Police counsel on December 20. The High Court has also scheduled arguments on the merits of Shadab Ahmed’s case for January 14, 2025.

Sharjeel Imam’s counsel, Advocates Talib Mustafa and Ahmad Ibrahim, concluded their arguments while seeking bail on the grounds of parity with other accused individuals. It was argued that Sharjeel never encouraged violence and only called for ‘Chakka Jaam’ (roadblock) against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) during his speeches.

Advocate Talib Mustafa further contended that Sharjeel Imam consistently advocated for peaceful protests against the CAA and warned that political parties might incite violence during such protests. The counsel highlighted that the basis of Imam’s indictment is a speech delivered at Jamia Millia Islamia on December 13, 2019, which led to five cases being registered against him for speeches made in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar in 2019 and 2020.

The counsel argued that the Delhi Police Crime Branch had registered a case in 2020 for the December 2019 speech, and Sharjeel Imam had already been granted bail in that case. The police investigation, according to the defense, relied heavily on chats recovered by the crime branch related to the Jamia speech case.

Also read: India Approves Rs 20,000 Cr For 12 Su-30 MKI fighter jets, 100 K-9 Vajra Self-Propelled Howitzers

Sharjeel Imam was arrested in August 2020 while already in custody for a crime branch case following his earlier arrest on January 28. His counsel further argued that he has been in custody for more than four years.

Supreme Court Requests ED’s Response on Partha Chatterjee’s Bail in High-Stakes Teachers’ Scam

October 1, 2024, 5:49 pm

In a significant development on October 1, 2024, the Supreme Court of India requested a response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding a bail plea filed by former West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee. This plea is connected to a high-profile case involving alleged irregularities in teacher appointments and has drawn considerable attention due to its implications for political accountability and public trust in educational institutions.

Chatterjee, who has been in custody since July 2022, faces serious allegations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). His arrest stemmed from a broader investigation into a cash-for-jobs scandal where numerous deserving candidates reportedly lost out on teaching positions to those who paid bribes. The Supreme Court’s bench, consisting of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, noted Chatterjee’s advanced age and health issues as factors warranting the ED’s timely response.

The case has been mired in controversy since it first came to light, with the ED’s investigations uncovering staggering amounts of cash and gold linked to Chatterjee’s associates. Notably, in July 2022, the agency recovered Rs 49 crore in cash and Rs 5 crore in jewelry from properties associated with Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of Chatterjee, which pointed to a larger network of corruption involving various officials from the Trinamool Congress (TMC). This case underscores the challenges of political corruption in India and the potential implications for the current TMC government in West Bengal.

Chatterjee’s legal team, led by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, argued that he has already served over two years in custody, with the maximum penalty for his charges being seven years. His defense also emphasized that the previous court rulings lacked sufficient evidence linking him directly to the seized cash. Despite these arguments, the Calcutta High Court previously denied his bail request, citing a robust prima facie case against him. This consistent denial reflects the seriousness with which the judiciary is approaching cases of corruption, particularly in public service sectors.

Also read: Bihar: Seven Children Denote Homemade Bomb In Bhagalpur While Playing, Severely Injured

As the Supreme Court prepares for further hearings scheduled for October 17, the ED is expected to submit its response, which could significantly influence the case’s direction. The outcome of this case may not only affect Chatterjee’s future but could also have far-reaching consequences for other politicians and public servants entangled in corruption cases across India.

The ongoing developments highlight the judiciary’s role in tackling corruption and maintaining the integrity of public institutions, particularly in a context where educational opportunities are paramount for the country’s youth. As the public awaits the next steps, this case serves as a crucial litmus test for both the legal framework surrounding corruption and the political landscape in West Bengal.

Kejriwal Challenges Arrest in SC, Seeks Bail

August 12, 2024, 1:41 pm

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approached the Supreme Court, challenging his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the excise policy case and has also filed a bail plea. This move comes after the Delhi High Court dismissed his earlier petition contesting the arrest, advising him to seek bail from the trial court instead.

The Delhi High Court, in its dismissal, noted that the prosecution had taken a cautious approach out of respect for Kejriwal’s position as Chief Minister of Delhi, conducting extensive investigations across India to uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy involving multiple individuals. The court acknowledged Kejriwal’s argument that, as the National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party and the sitting Chief Minister of Delhi, he is facing “gross persecution and harassment for wholly malafide and extraneous considerations.”

However, the court found that the CBI’s decision to proceed with the arrest only after gathering sufficient evidence over a period of one and a half years was well justified. The CBI obtained sanction for prosecution on April 23, 2024, and the court found no signs of malice in the investigation.

The court further observed that Kejriwal is not an ordinary citizen but a distinguished figure, noting his Magsaysay Award and his role as the convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party. The prosecution argued that Kejriwal’s influence over witnesses was evident, as they only came forward after his arrest. The court concluded that the investigation’s timeline and actions did not suggest any malice.

While reviewing Kejriwal’s bail plea, Delhi High Court Justice Neena Bansal emphasized the complexity of the case and the extensive evidence on record, suggesting that a comprehensive determination of Kejriwal’s role in the alleged conspiracy is necessary to assess his entitlement to bail. Justice Bansal also pointed out that since the charge sheet has now been filed before the Special Judge, it would be in Kejriwal’s best interest to first approach the Court of Sessions Judge.

This development follows the release of former Delhi Deputy CM and AAP leader Manish Sisodia from Tihar Jail on August 9, after the Supreme Court granted him bail in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, following nearly 18 months of imprisonment.

Delhi High Court Seeks Delhi Police Response on Umar Khalid’s Bail Plea in 2020 Delhi Riots Case

July 24, 2024, 12:54 pm

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Delhi Police in response to Umar Khalid’s plea seeking bail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Umar Khalid is accused in the larger conspiracy of the 2020 Delhi riots. The court has scheduled the matter for hearing on August 29.

This development comes as part of the ongoing legal proceedings concerning the violent clashes that took place in Delhi in February 2020. Umar Khalid, a former student leader, has been in custody since his arrest in September 2020. He has consistently denied any involvement in the conspiracy, maintaining his innocence.

Delhi High Court issues notice to Delhi Police on Umar Khalid’s plea seeking bail in the UAPA case. He is accused in the larger conspiracy of the Delhi riots 2020 case. The matter has been listed on August 29 for hearing.

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2024

The upcoming hearing will determine whether Khalid will be granted bail as the case continues to unfold. This case has garnered significant attention, highlighting issues related to civil rights and the use of the UAPA in legal proceedings.

Keep following for updates on this significant legal development.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal To Step Out Of Tihar Jail Today

June 21, 2024, 11:16 am

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to be released from Tihar jail today after being granted bail by the Rouse Avenue court in connection with a money laundering case related to the alleged liquor policy scam.

Kejriwal’s legal team is expected to submit the bail bond of Rs 1 lakh to the court later today, after which he will be released. He has been in Tihar jail since June 2 following the end of his interim bail. Sources indicate that his wife, Sunita Kejriwal, is expected to visit the high-security prison at 4 PM today.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has stated that it plans to file a plea in the Delhi High Court to challenge the bail granted to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader. This follows the Rouse Avenue court’s dismissal of the agency’s request to delay the bail order by 48 hours, allowing them time to seek legal recourse.

The court has imposed specific conditions for Kejriwal’s bail, including not interfering with the investigation or influencing witnesses. The AAP chief has been instructed to appear before the court when required and to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21, shortly after the Delhi High Court denied his request for protection from arrest in relation to summonses issued to him.

On May 10, the Supreme Court granted Kejriwal interim bail until June 1 to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections, requiring him to return to jail on June 2.

On June 5, the trial court denied his request for interim bail, which he sought due to various health issues.

ED and Kejriwal’s Legal Team Present Arguments

During the hearing on Thursday, the ED claimed to have evidence of Kejriwal demanding Rs 100 crore in kickbacks related to the liquor policy case. The agency also alleged that these kickbacks from liquor vendors were used to finance AAP’s election campaign in Goa.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju argued that there was a direct money trail linking proceeds of the crime from the South Group, involving BRS leader K Kavitha, to the AAP.

ASG Raju also alleged that Kejriwal refused to provide the password to his phone during the investigation.

“Kejriwal says my phone is sacrosanct. Mai password nahi dunga. (I will not give my password). We had to resort to the phone of Vinod Chauhan (accused in the case). He is sitting quiet. An adverse inference has to be drawn from the fact that Kejriwal has refused to give his password. This is a ground for refusing bail under ordinary bail law, forget section 45 PMLA for the time being,” ASG Raju said.

The ASG further claimed that Vinod Chauhan was involved in managing transfers and postings of Delhi government officials.

Kejriwal’s Defense

Kejriwal’s defense, led by senior advocate Vikram Chaudhary, argued that the ED’s allegations were unsubstantiated and lacked evidence.

Chaudhary also pointed out that Kejriwal had not been named in any chargesheet filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

“Is ED an independent agency or playing in the hands of some political masters? The ED draws all its conclusions based on hypothesis,” Chaudhary said.

Supreme Court Refuses Bail To Manish Sisodia In Delhi Excise Policy Scam Cases

June 4, 2024, 5:09 pm

The Supreme Court of India has refused to grant relief to Manish Sisodia, a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in the Delhi excise policy scam cases. The court disposed of his bail plea and allowed him to revive his petitions after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed their final prosecution complaints or chargesheets in the cases involving alleged corruption and money laundering.

The court’s decision comes after the Delhi High Court rejected Sisodia’s bail pleas in both cases, citing that he had not been able to make out a case for grant of bail. The High Court had also noted that Sisodia was a powerful and influential person within the Delhi government and had allegedly indulged in the destruction of crucial evidence, including electronic evidence.

Sisodia had been in custody for nearly 15 months and had approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Court’s verdict. His counsel, Abhishek Singhvi, had sought bail for him, saying that the trial in these cases had not yet started. The Supreme Court has given Sisodia the liberty to revive his bail petitions after the ED and CBI file their final prosecution complaints or chargesheets. The court has not made any comments on the merits of the case, leaving all contentions open.

Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023, for his alleged role in the Delhi excise policy scam, and the ED arrested him in a money-laundering case stemming from the CBI FIR on March 9, 2023. The Delhi government implemented the excise policy on November 17, 2021, but scrapped it at the end of September 2022 amid allegations of corruption.

UK Court Dismisses Nirav Modi’s Bail Plea

May 7, 2024, 10:52 pm

The bail plea of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi, the main accused in the PNB scam case, has been rejected by a UK court, according to ED sources. Despite filing a bail application on April 16 for the fifth time, citing prolonged incarceration, the Westminster Magistrate’s Court dismissed it during Tuesday’s hearing.

India has been actively pursuing the extradition of Nirav Modi since his arrest in March 2019 by British authorities in London. The Enforcement Directorate had requested his extradition in connection with the money laundering case, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant against him.

Nirav Modi, along with his uncle Mehul Choksi, stands accused in the PNB scam, which rocked the Indian banking sector. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case against them in 2018, following revelations of fraudulent activities at Punjab National Bank (PNB).

The investigation into the scam involved several searches, resulting in the seizure of valuable assets including diamonds, gold, pearls, and precious stones. Despite legal efforts, Nirav Modi’s plea to appeal against his extradition to India was rejected by the UK Supreme Court in December 2022, confirming the allegations of fraud and money laundering against him.

Having fled India in 2018 before the scandal became public, Nirav Modi’s continued detention underscores the ongoing efforts to bring him to justice for his alleged involvement in the large-scale fraud at Punjab National Bank.

Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi gets pre-arrest bail in Al-Qadir Trust case

May 23, 2023, 1:02 pm

Bushra Bibi, the wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and a member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has been granted interim bail in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case until May 31.The Islamabad Accountability Court approved her pre-arrest bail plea and required her to submit a surety bond of Rs 500,000. The case hearing was held in the Islamabad Accountability Court, with Judge Muhammad Bashir presiding over the proceedings. The judge has also issued a notice to the investigative officer to scrutinize the evidence and continue the investigations.

It is pertinent to mention here that Lahore High Court (LHC) has granted security bail to Bushra Bibi till May 23 in the Al-Qadir Trust case and directed Bushra Bibi to approach the relevant court by the due date.According to the details, the wife of PTI chief Imran Khan presented before the court, the defence lawyer of Bushra Bibi, Khawaja Haris requested a 10-day protective bail for her client. The court accepted the request and granted her bail until May 23, reported ARY News.The National Accountability Bureau is conducting investigations into the former prime minister, his wife Bushra Bibi, and other PTI officials for their roles in a deal the PTI government made with a property tycoon that reportedly caused a loss of 190 million pounds to the national exchequer.The authorities have accused Khan and the other defendants of using Rs50 billion, which the Pakistani government received as part of an agreement with the property tycoon by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA).

ED opposes Sisodia’s bail, says crucial evidence still being unearthed

April 5, 2023, 5:04 pm

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday opposed the bail plea of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and said that the agency is in the process of gathering some fresh evidence as there is some crucial evidence that is still being unearthed.

ED lawyer further submitted that our investigation is not into the scheduled offence but is an investigation into the process of activity involved in the generation and use of proceeds of crime. Appearing for Manish Sisodia, Advocate Vivek Jain argued that no PMLA case has been made against him. “Section 45 of the PMLA would come against me only if an offence under Section 3 is made out,” Advocate Vivek Jain said.

“ED’s reply opposing my bail doesn’t even show I have concealed any proceeds of crime, acquired any proceeds of crime, or projected any proceeds of crime. Not a single rupee has come into my account or my family’s account. They have raided my home, and they have checked my bank accounts. They have even gone to my native place,” he argued.

The Special Judge MK Nagpal, after noting down the submissions, kept the matter for 12 April, 2023, for further arguments in the bail. Meanwhile, the Court also extended the judicial custody of Manish Sisodia in the ED excise case till 17 April, 2023.

Delhi Car Horror Case: Rohini Court grants bail to accused Ashutosh

January 17, 2023, 3:16 pm

The Rohini Court granted accused Ashutosh bail on a Rs 50,000 bond in the Kanjhawala case. Meanwhile, Rohini’s court imposed a condition on his departure, stating that he would not leave Delhi without the court’s permission. The court said that the accused would not tamper with the evidence, and would not contact the witnesses. Despite the Delhi Police’s opposition to bail, accused Ashutosh got bail.

Court rejects Sheezan Khan’s bail plea

January 13, 2023, 3:05 pm

In the Tunisha Sharma death case, Sheezan Khan’s bail plea has been rejected by the Vasai court and the court said Sheezan can not get the bail as the last time Sheezan was present with Tunisha Sharma.

Delhi Car Horror Case: Rohini court rejects bail of accused Ashutosh

January 12, 2023, 3:15 pm

In the Kanjhawala case, the Rohini court rejects Ashutosh’s bail plea. Meanwhile, the bail plea of Ashutosh was opposed by Delhi Police as during the investigation the accused tried to confuse after which Ashutosh’s lawyer said that Ashutosh was not present in the car at the time of the incident. The court said that the investigation against Ashutosh is still in the initial stages.

Tunisha Sharma Death Case: Sheezan Khan’s bail plea will be heard in Vasai Court

January 11, 2023, 3:41 pm

In the Tunisha Sharma suicide case, the hearing on the bail plea of Sheezan Khan will begin in a short while in Vasai’s session MCAJET. Earlier on 24 December 2022, Tunisha Sharma committed suicide after which Sheezan was arrested on 25 December.

Delhi Court reserves order on bail plea of accused Shankar Mishra

January 11, 2023, 3:34 pm

The accused Shankar Mishra, who had allegedly urinated on a co-passenger onboard an Air India flight between New York on 26 November the Patiala House Court on Wednesday reserved an order on Mishra’s bail plea. However, Delhi Police opposed the bail of accused Shankar Mishra.

Tunisha Sharma Death Case: Sheezan Khan’s bail plea will be heard on 11 January

January 9, 2023, 6:38 pm

In the Tunisha Sharma death case, Sheezan’s Khan Bail Plea was heard by the Vasai Court in Maharashtra on Monday and now it will be heard on 11 January.

Tunisha’s family’s advocate Tarun Sharma said, “We have asked for another date further and we’ll be keeping our perspective in the court on January 11.”

Earlier the court was adjourned till 9 January. Talking about Sheezan’s family allegation Vanita Sharma on Sunday refuted the allegations and said Sheezan used Tunisha to meet his expenses for drugs.

Talking to the media Tunisha’s mother said, “I do not need to explain to anyone what relationship I shared with Tunisha. Tunisha was my daughter, she was the closest to me. She loved me very much. Even she used to sleep with me and used to share everything with me.”

Meanwhile, the actor’s audio was also shared by Tunisha’s mother that how much both of them loved each other.

“It could be murder instead of suicide. Because Sheezan took Tunisha to a hospital far away from the studio, whereas the hospital was just 5 minutes away from the studio. But he did not take her there. There should be an inquiry as to what happened between Tunisha and Sheezan in those 15-20 minutes. Only then the truth will come out. Had Sheezan taken Tunisha to the nearest hospital, Tunisha would have been with us today because she was still breathing,” Vanita claimed.

Earlier on 24 December 2022, Tunisha Sharma committed suicide after which Sheezan was arrested on 25 December.

Delhi HC reserves order on Khalid Saifi’s bail plea in UAPA case

December 12, 2022, 5:26 pm

The Delhi High Court reserved orders on the bail plea of United Against Hate (UAH) founder Abdul Khalid Saifi in a UAPA case related to the alleged conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots on Monday.

Following the hearing from Senior Advocate Rebecca John for Saifi and Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad for the Delhi Police, a Division Bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Rajnish Bhatnagar reserved its order on the bail plea of Saifi.

While hearing on the bail plea of Saifi, the High Court was told that the Delhi Police have no evidence against him to show his involvement in the Delhi riots.

However, the Delhi police were constantly opposing Saifi’s bail plea before the court.

On April 8, a special court rejected Saifi’s plea for release.

On December 4, Khalid Saifi and Umar Khalid were acquitted by the Delhi court in the case related to the Delhi riots.

In February 2020, not long after the Delhi riots that claimed the lives of more than 58 people, most of them Muslims, he was arrested by the Delhi Police.

Saifi was prosecuted under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after the police alleged that he, Umar Khalid, and Sharjeel Imam were involved in the preparation of the Delhi riots.

Umar Khalid in jail for 766 days; HC rejects his bail plea in UAPA case

October 18, 2022, 3:09 pm

In a case involving the alleged plot behind the Delhi riots in February 2020, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday denied former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader Umar Khalid’s plea for bail.

In September 2020, Khalid was arrested and charged under the draconian anti-terror law known as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as well as the Indian Penal Code. Based on his speech at Amravati, Maharashtra, the Delhi Police accused him of being one of the “masterminds” behind the riots.

Khalid has been imprisoned for 799 days as of today.

He filed a petition with the high court in April after his bail request was denied by a trial court a month earlier.He argued he had nothing to do with the violence in northeast Delhi and had no conspiratorial connect with the other accused in the case.

When deciding whether to grant Khalid’s plea for bail on September 9, a bench of justices Siddharth Mridul and Rajnish Bhatnagar denied it, stating that they did not think it had any merit.

Khalid’s representative, senior counsel Trideep Pais, stated that Khalid’s Amravati address explicitly called for nonviolence and did not incite violence anywhere.

He claimed that the speech is the sole overt action attributed to Khalid. “That was an open gathering. Nowhere there was any violence as a result, Pais told the court.

The Delhi Police opposed the bail plea, claiming that Khalid’s statements were intended to scare Muslims.

Delhi HC asks trial court to consider Sharjeel Imam’s bail plea for relief

September 28, 2022, 11:58 am

The Delhi High Court has instructed a trial court to first consider former JNU student Sharjeel Imam’s application for relief under Section 436-A CrPC on the grounds that he has been in custody for 31 months following a 2019 sedition FIR, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive to keep sedition cases on hold.

According to Section 436-A, a person might well be released on bail by the court after serving a sentence of up to one-half the maximum allowed for the offence against him up until the end of the trial.

Imam claims that because he has been imprisoned for more than a year and a half since his arrest in February 2020 and has served more than half of the maximum sentence of three years under Section 153A (promoting hostility among religious groups), he is entitled to the advantage of being released.

A speech that Imam delivered at Jamia Millia Islamia in 2019 is the subject of a charge against him that was filed at the New Friends Colony (NFC) Police station.

Justice Anoop Mendiratta asked the trial court to consider the Supreme Court’s order keeping the offence of sedition in abeyance when deciding whether to grant the applicant’s request for default bail on Monday (September 26), while permitting him to withdraw his application for regular bail in a 2019 sedition case.

Appearing for Imam, his counsel Ahmad Ibrahim told the judge that the trial court, while dismissing his bail plea, had only made observations against him with respect to offences under Section 153A and 124A (sedition) and opined that no case was made out under other offences.

The counsel argued that the only offence which now warrants consideration of the trial court during the hearing of bail plea is Section 153A as offence of sedition has been kept abeyance.

Special public prosecutor Amit Prasad told the court that Imam’s bail plea pending before High Court may be withdrawn in entirety, as it may not be appropriate to consider the application under Section 436A CrPC in a piecemeal with reference to Section 153A of IPC.