Freelance journalist Mandeep Punia, who was detained on 30th January from the Singhu border by the Delhi Police while covering the farmers’ protests, was granted bail by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, North District, Rohini Courts (Delhi) on Tuesday.
Punia, a contributor for the Caravan magazine, was detained on 30th January from the Singhu border at the site of farmers protests. Another journalist, Dharmender Singh of Online News India, was also picked up by the police along with Punia; however, Singh was later on allowed to go after he showed his identity card.
Noting that there was no possibility that the accused/ applicant would be able to influence police officials and no recovery is to be effected from him, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Satvir Singh Lamba granted him bail on furnishing bail bond in a sum of Rs. 25,000 along with one sound surety in the like amount, Live Law reported.
Published: 02 Feb 2021, 5:24 PM IST
Punia was arrested by police on Sunday in an FIR registered under various sections including 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) of IPC.
Published: 02 Feb 2021, 5:24 PM IST
The Court noted that it is well settled legal principle of law that "bail is a rule and jail is an exception" and since the complainant, victims and witnesses are police personnel only, hence, there is no possibility that accused/applicant would be able to influence them.
Here are extracts of the operative portion of the court order:
The following averments were made in Punia’s bail plea:
Published: 02 Feb 2021, 5:24 PM IST
Published: 02 Feb 2021, 5:24 PM IST
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Published: 02 Feb 2021, 5:24 PM IST