HC stays school owner’s release

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday ordered that the Rajdhani School owner, accused in the North-east Delhi riots case and granted bail days ago by a trial court, should not be released if he is still in custody and sought his response on a plea filed by the Delhi Police, seeking his bail cancellation.

Faisal Farooq, owner of Rajdhani School in Shiv Vihar locality was among the 18 arrested, for alleged involvement in burning and damaging the property of adjacent DRP Convent School.

Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, who conducted the hearing through video conferencing, also directed that till further order, if the respondent/ accused (Farooq), pursuant to order dated June 20 (of trial court) is still in custody, he shall not be released.

The high court listed the matter for further hearing on Tuesday and said the copy of the order be communicated to the concerned judge and jail superintendent concerned through phone, mail or any other mode for information and compliance.

The trial court, in its bail order, had noted that the charge sheet filed against him in the case was bereft of material showing his alleged links with Popular Front of India, Pinjra Tod group and Muslim clerics. The trial court has said the accused would be released from the jail on furnishing a bail bond of Rs 50,000 along with two sureties of like amount.

However, the Delhi Police was quick to approach the High Court here with a plea to cancel the bail granted by the lower court.

The hearing also saw an exchange of words between Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Delhi government standing counsel (criminal) Rahul Mehra who submitted that the Central Government has no power to file this petition against the June 20 order of the trial c ourt.

The Solicitor General submitted that he has received instructions from the Central Government to file this petition and to appear before the court. However, this fact was disputed by Mehra.