The Delhi High Court has directed Safoor Zargar not to indulge in any activities that may hamper the investigation. She is also not allowed to leave Delhi without permission.
New Delhi| Pregnant Jamia Student, Safoora Zargar, arrested under the draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for her role in Delhi riots, was granted bail today by the High Court after the police did not oppose it on “humanitarian grounds”.
Earlier, Safoora was granted bail but rearrested on more severe charges. Her arrest drew the strong condemnation of the central government from the student activists and civil society on social media sites. Her pregnancy, being the main reason, Safoora had demanded bail on humanitarian grounds.
The Delhi High Court has directed Safoor Zargar not to indulge in any activities that may hamper the investigation. She is also not allowed to leave Delhi without permission.
Safoora not only has to furnish a personal bond of Rs 10,000, but she also has to stay in touch with an Investigating Officer on the phone at least once in 15 days.
Safoora is a student of M.Phil at Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi. She is 23 weeks pregnant.
Representing the police, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta did not oppose her bail on humanitarian grounds. Mr. Mehta said she can be released on regular bail on humanitarian grounds but a decision had not been taken on the merits of the case and should not be made a precedent.
Delhi Police, however, had opposed Safoora’s bail plea on Monday stating, “the severity of her offense is in no manner mitigated by the fact of her pregnancy.”
Opposing the bail plea, the Delhi police had also said that “clear and cogent case” had been made out against her and she was accused of “grave and serious offenses meticulously and surreptitiously planned and executed by her”
It said that as a part of conspiracy protests at 21 sites were organized and large scale mobilization was done at these protest sites in the garb of peaceful march and these protest sites were converted into Chakka Jaam.
Police said there is a strong nexus, a deep-rooted and larger conspiracy between rioters, instigators, conspirators, and fund-raisers behind the Delhi riots.
It said that there is a clear prima facie case against Safoora Zargar and hence she is not entitled to bail.
In the mid of February, the accused had allegedly planned to observe protests in various parts of north-east Delhi. She also took part in a protest and blocked a road near Jafrabad metro station. Later, violence had broken out between groups supporting and opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which led to the deaths of at least 53 people.
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