Jantar Mantar hate speech: Bail granted to organiser

In a hate sloganeering case, which took place on August 8 at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi high court, on Friday, granted bail to event organiser Preet Singh in this connection.

Justice Mukta Gupta directed that the accused be released on bail on a personal bond of `50,000 with two sureties of the like amount.

“The petitioner has been in custody since 9/10.08.2021.The petitioner is no more required for custodial interrogation. It is, therefore, directed that the petitioner be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of `50,000 with two surety bonds of the like amount subject to the satisfaction of the learned trial court/duty magistrate,” the judge stated.

Mr Singh was among the nine people who were booked under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and Section 34 (common intention). During the rally near Jantar Mantar, Mr Singh had allegedly demanded for a “Hindu Rashtra.”

The court said that as per the record, the accused had left the venue at around 2.00 pm while “the main provocative words/slogans were shouted by the co-accused at around 4.00 pm.”

Preet Singh, who was remanded in judicial custody on August 10 after his arrest, is accused of creating enmity between different groups and inciting the youth to propagate against a particular religion at a rally at Jantar Mantar here on August 8.

On September 15, during Mr Singh’s bail hearing, his counsel had asked the Delhi high court if the demand for a “Hindu Rashtra” fell under the purview of Section 153A.