Rita Joshi surrenders in a 2010 case, granted bail
PRAYAGRAJ: Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi on Thursday surrendered before the special court (MP/ MLA) in a 2010 case registered against her at Lucknow for alleged defiance of prohibitory orders issued under section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
Following her surrender, special judge (MP and MLA) Pawan Kumar Tiwari granted her bail and fixed December 7 as the next date of hearing in the case.
It is alleged that Joshi, along with her supporters, was staging dharna at Shahid Smarak, located under police station Wazirganj, Lucknow, on February 16, 2010. It is further alleged that later they proceeded towards the chief minister’s residence. The policemen present there asked her not to proceed as the prohibitory order was in effect.
However, she along with her supporters allegedly broke police barricading and proceeded towards the chief minister’s residence. During it, some scuffle took place between the police and agitators. Later, the police used mild force to control the situation.
Later, station officer of Wazirganj police station Om Prakash Sharma lodged an FIR against Joshi and her supporters, alleging defiance of prohibitory orders. After investigation, the police submitted a chargesheet against her and trial began.
Subsequently, the matter was transferred before special court (MP and MLA), which issued bailable warrant against Joshi and asked her to appear before the court on October 31, 2018. When she did not appear on October31, a non-bailable warrant (NBW) was issued against her. In pursuance of the NBW, she surrendered before the court on Thursday.
To recall, a special court has been set up as per the directions of the Supreme Court to speedily try elected public representatives facing criminal charges.