Air India urination case: Witnesses not deposing in police favour, says Delhi court reserving order on bail plea

witnesses named by Delhi police in a case against Shankar Mishra, accused of urinating on a woman on board an Air India flight from New York to Delhi, are not deposing in prosecution's favour, a court here observed on Monday while it reserved its order on his bail application.

ditional Sessions Judge Harjyot Singh Bhalla heard arguments from counsel appearing for prosecution and accused, and said he will pronounce order on Mishra’s bail application tomorrow “ witness you (Investigation agency) have named are not deposing in your favour... . re is a contriction in complainant's statement and Ila Benarjee's (witness) statement,” judge noted during proceedings.

Police opposed bail application, saying “India has been defamed internationally because of incident”, to which judge said, "It may be disgusting but that is anor matter, let's not get into that. Let's go into how law deals with it." prosecutor also claimed Mishra did not cooperate in investigation and that he h switched off all his mobile phones.

judge asked how accused came to know about FIR in case, to which prosecution said it was “through media”.

judge furr asked prosecution how media knew about FIR.

“It was everywhere,” prosecution told court, ding that “he may influence witnesses. He contacted victim even after FIR was lodged.” judge n asked what did accused say in message, to which counsel appearing for complainant said, “Intimidating messages were sent.” Seeking relief, Mishra submitted that initially bail h been declined by a magisterial court because investigation was pending.

"Now that's done and y have examined or crew members and witnesses. Also, y asked for reimbursement of ticket and sought no action against me," senior vocate Ramesh Gupta, appearing for accused, said.

He ded that all offences alleged against Mishra were bailable.

A magisterial court h on January 11 denied bail to Mishra, saying act was utterly disgusting and repulsive, shocked civic consciousness and needed to be deprecated.

Mishra h allegedly urinated on a 70-year-old woman in an intoxicated condition in business class of an Air India flight on November 26 last year.

Delhi Police h registered FIR against him on January 4 under various sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) on a complaint given by woman to Air India.

Bengaluru police h assisted Delhi police in arresting Mishra from Sanjay Nagar area in city.