JANTAR MANTAR PROTESTS: DELHI COURT DENIES BAIL TO ONE OF THE ORGANISERS

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has dismissed the bail application of one of the organisers of an event near Jantar Mantar where communal slogans were raised earlier this month.

Additional Sessions Judge Anil Antil denied relief to Preet Singh, arrested by the Delhi Police in the case, saying right to assemble and freedom to air one’s thoughts are cherished under the Constitution, however, these are not absolute and have to be exercised with inherent reasonable restrictions. Singh was accused of creating enmity between different groups and inciting the youth to propagate against a particular religion at a rally at Jantar Mantar on Aug 8.

The judge, on the basis of the material placed on record and submissions put forth by the prosecution, observed that prima facie there had been active participation by the accused in his individual capacity and also as the main organiser of the event itself.

In its order passed on August 27, the court also noted that the event was conducted at Jantar Mantar in spite of the denial of permission by the Delhi Police and in total disregard to Covid protocol issued by the Union government. “It is apposite to mention that the applicant not only voluntarily organised the event but also actively participated and provided support to the views and contents of inflammatory speeches, which were being made by the participants/accused persons at that time, by acknowledging and endorsing via gestures and clapping intermittently,” the judge observed in the order.

He said given the stature of the accused, it was expected that he ought to have exercised his authority, in these circumstances, and prevented participants from the airing such inflammatory opinions in the larger interest of the public and committee welfare.

IN ITS ORDER PASSED ON AUGUST 27, THE COURT ALSO NOTED THAT THE EVENT WAS CONDUCTED IN SPITE OF DENIAL OF PERMISSION BY THE DELHI POLICE