Delhi Police had alleged that Ms Jacob, along with Bengaluru environmentalist Disha Ravi and Maharashtra engineer Shantanu Muluk, had created a toolkit meant to tarnish India’s image.
On Tuesday, the Bombay High Court granted Mumbai lawyer and environmental activist Nikita Jacob transit bail for three weeks in a case filed by Delhi police in connection to the “toolkit” tweeted by climate activist Greta Thunberg. Ms Jacob, in case of arrest, will be released on a personal bond of ₹ 25,000 and one surety of like amount.
On Monday, the Delhi Police had alleged that Ms Jacob, along with Bengaluru environmentalist Disha Ravi and Maharashtra engineer Shantanu Muluk, had created a toolkit meant to tarnish India’s image. These three, in the process, were allegedly in direct touch with “pro-Khalistani elements”.
The toolkit in question was meant to garner international support for the ongoing farmers’ agitation in India against three new central farm laws.
There was a Zoom meeting before Republic Day, which was attended by Poetic Justice Foundation founder MO Dhaliwal, and other fellow activists, including Ms Ravi, Ms Jacob had told the court on Monday. The Mumbai-based activist, in a document submitted by her lawyer, had claimed that the “toolkit” was prepared by Extinction Rebellion (XR) India volunteers for presenting the whole picture with a simple breakdown for an international audience.
The police had seized her laptops and mobile phones, and now she fears arrest, her lawyer told the court.
Desisting from commenting on the merits of the case against her, Justice Naik said: “The applicant apprehends that she will be arrested at any point of time. She has to make arrangements to seek relief from a court in another state. Hence, this court is of the opinion that protection as sought by the applicant can be granted for a temporary period.”
Earlier, a Bengaluru-based 22 years old Disha Ravi was arrested by Delhi Police on conspiracy and sedition charges.
“I did not make the Toolkit. We wanted to support the farmers. I edited two lines on February 3,” Disha Ravi told the court. The court sent her to police custody until the next hearing five days later.
The Delhi Police, on February 4, filed a case regarding toolkit tweeted by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. The case was filed in the aftermath of chaos and violence during the farmers’ tractor rally on Republic Day. The activist had tweeted in support of the ongoing farmers’ protest which had helped draw global attention to the protest.
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