Police in Bengaluru was due to file a charge sheet on May 20, when the 90-day period since her arrest ended but did so only on June 3
BENGALURU| The 19-year-old, Amulya Leona Noronha who said “Pakistan Zindabad” at an anti-CAA protest in February granted “default bail” by a magistrate’s court since the state had failed to file the charge sheet within the stipulated time period. Amulya the college student bail was rejected by the session court just a day before.
Police in Bengaluru was due to file a charge sheet on May 20, when the 90-day period since her arrest ended but did so only on June 3.
The delay enabled Amulya’s advocates to move a plea under section 167(2) of the CrPC, under which those arrested are entitled to bail at the end of 60/90 days given to the police for investigation if a charge sheet is not filed by then.
B T Venkatesh, senior advocate and former state public prosecutor, who also representing Amulya said, “I have heard that bail has been granted but I am yet to see the copy of the order.”
Initially, an application under the section was moved on May 30 before a sessions court since the lower courts were not functional during the lockdown, another advocate said. But the application was withdrawn last week since the powers for the default bail fell within the jurisdiction of the magistrate’s court during case investigation, the advocate said.
Amulya, an orator often invited to anti-CAA rallies, was arrested in Bengaluru on the evening of February 20 after she started a speech by saying “Pakistan Zindabad”. Her friends later said she was trying to convey a message of universal humanity by hailing all nations, including India, as reflected in her social media posts.
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