POLICE GET DISHA’S CUSTODY FOR A DAY

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court asked the Delhi Police on Monday to produce climate activist Disha Ravi before it again on Tuesday as it sent her to one day’s custodial interrogation during which she will be confronted with co-accused, lawyer Nikita Jacob and engineer Shantanu Muluk, in connection with the toolkit case related to the farmers’ protest on Delhi’s borders.

The bail plea of the 22-yearold is pending before additional sessions judge Dharmender Rana, who is expected to pass an order on the petition on Tuesday.

Chief metropolitan magistrate Pankaj Sharma sent Ravi to one day’s custodial interrogation by the Delhi Police special cell, saying the remand was being granted for a shorter period than the five days sought by the police because she only has to be confronted with Mumbai lawyer Jacob and Pune-based engineer Shantanu Muluk.

Ravi was produced at the end of her three-day judicial custody. The police had sought a remand for five days to confront Ravi with Jacob and Muluk.

“As the case involves the allegations of vituperous campaign to spread hatred and dissatisfaction to disturb peace and tranquility, to undermine sovereignty, integrity and security, the investigating authority must be provided fair time and chance within the ambit of law to reach out to truth through custodial interrogation and confrontation.

“But a balance has to be struck with individual’s rights. Her police remand is deemed necessary for a shorter period as confrontation of accused with other co-accused is sought,” the judge said.

Ravi was arrested on February 13 in connection with an online toolkit which Delhi Police claimed was created by her in support of farmers protesting against the farm laws.

Jacob and Muluk were granted transit pre-arrest bail by courts in Mumbai.

On Monday, public prosecutor Vikas Singh told the court the department required Ravi’s custody to question her along with two other accused in the case who joined the investigation on Monday.

22-YEAR-OLD’S BAIL PLEA IS PENDING IN THE COURT OF ADDITIONAL SESSIONS JUDGE WHO IS LIKELY TO PASS ORDER TODAY