Safoora moves HC for bail; hearing on Thursday

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court will on Thursday hear the bail application of former Jamia Coordination Committee member and research student Safoora Zargar in a case against her in north-east Delhi riots that broke out in February this year.

The plea filed by Safoora challenging the trial court order denying bail to the student-activist, is listed for hearing before a single judge bench of Justice Rajiv Shakdar tomorrow.

Safoora, who is more than 20-week pregnant, was arrested on 10 April, was subsequently slapped with the strict anti-terror law Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The trial court had dismissed the bail plea filed by her, saying it found "no merit" in her petition.

"When you choose to play with embers, you cannot blame the wind to have carried the spark a bit too far and spread the fire," Additional Sessions Judge Dharmendra Rana had said while dismissing her bail.

The court had also stated, "If there is a prima facie evidence of conspiracy, the evidence of acts and statements made by one of the conspirators in furtherance of the common object is admissible against all...even if no direct evidence of violence is attributable to the applicant/accused, she cannot shy away from her liability under the provisions of the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act)."

However, keeping in mind the medical condition of Zargar, the court had asked the Jail Superintendent to provide adequate medical assistance to her.

Opposing her bail application, the Special Cell submitted before the court that she has allegedly made inflammatory speech and was a part of the conspiracy to instigate communal violence, which had been planned weeks ago.

The police had then told the court that the accused persons were a part of the protest against Citizens Amendment Act in various parts of the national capital.

"In mid-February, the accused had allegedly planned to hold protests in various parts of north-east Delhi. They had taken part in a protest and blocked a road near the Jafrabad metro station," the police said.

News Summary - Safoora moves HC for bail; hearing on Thursday