Published 16:21 IST, February 23rd 2021
Disha Ravi granted bail in toolkit case; court observes 'scanty & sketchy evidence'
In a massive development on Tuesday, 22-year-old environmental activist Disha Ravi was granted bail in connection with the toolkit case by the Sessions Court.
- India News
- 3 min read
In a massive development on Tuesday, 22-year-old environmental activist Disha Ravi was granted bail in connection with the toolkit case by the Sessions Court. Additional Session Judge Dharmender Rana asked her to furnish a bail bond of Rs 1,00,000 with two sureties in the like amount. Considering the "scanty and sketchy evidence on record", he ruled that there was no palpable reason to deny bail to Disha. Moreover, the judge noted that she had no criminal antecedents.
At the same time, she has been directed to cooperate with the probe and not leave the country without the court's permission. Before reserving the order, the judge had questioned the prosecution on whether the Poetic Justice Foundation was named in any FIR and the link between the 'toolkit' and the January 26 violence. Previously, Disha was granted access to warm clothes, home-cooked food, books besides being allowed to meet her family and lawyer. The bail order comes on a day when her one-day police custody has expired. She has already been confronted with co-accused Nikita Jacob and Shantanu Muluk.
Read the operative part of the order here:
Arrest in toolkit case
On February 3, Greta Thunberg stirred a row by posting a toolkit for people to help in the agitation against the farm laws. The six-page document titled 'Ask India Why' consisted of detailed instructions to target the Indian government and a few Indian corporate enterprises, in the garb of the farmers' protest. After the tweet and its contents were highlighted by Republic Media Network, the environmental activist deleted it and posted an updated version of the document which is a toned-down version of the original one. However, the Delhi Police registered an FIR against the authors of the toolkit under Sections 120, 124A, 153, and 153A of the Indian Penal Code.
In connection with this, Disha Ravi was arrested by the Delhi Police on February 13 and was remanded to police custody for five days after being produced in front of a magistrate. Addressing a press briefing on Monday, Delhi Police Cyber Cell Joint CP Prem Nath revealed that the "action plan" outlined in the toolkit was carried out in Delhi on January 26 resulting in 510 police personnel getting injured. Moreover, he alleged that Shantanu Muluk, Nikita Jacob and Disha Ravi are the creators of the toolkit. He also mentioned that the "action plan" in the toolkit document was executed in a "copycat manner" on January 26 resulting in violence. Claiming that "incriminating evidence" was also found from Disha's device, he justified the action against the 22-year-old activist.
Updated 19:44 IST, February 23rd 2021