Karnataka Police opposes Amulya Leona’s bail plea: Says she influential person, may raise anti-CAA slogans

The Karnataka Police has opposed bail to Amulya Leona, who is under custody in an alleged case of sedition, by saying that the 19-year-old is an influential person who may threaten and influence the witnesses and hamper the case of the prosecution and will abscond if released on bail, reports legal news website LiveLaw.in.

The statement of objection filed before the High Court of Karnataka on Monday, says:

"She (Amulya) may also again participate and commit similar offences while opposing the CAA, NRC and NPR. She may also participate in the protest and may make provocative speeches so as to endanger peace and tranquility in the Society. She may also raise slogans praising Pakistan, which is considered as not favoured nation by the Government of India. Because of the provocative statement and behaviour, she may be instrumental in destruction of private and public prosperities. She also may influence the other absconding accused not to co-operate with the investigation. Since she is having strong links with several organizations through which, she may threaten the witnesses not to give evidence against her in the Court."

Amulya was arrested on February 20, under section 124-A, 153 (A), 153-B, 505 (2) of Indian Penal Code. After being in police custody for five days she was sent to judicial custody and has been in prison since then. She approached the high court seeking for bail recently.

It is alleged that Amulya shouted pro-Pakistan slogans at a program organised to protest against CAA, NRC and NPR where Member of Parliament, Asaduddin Owasi was present.

The state has also claimed that:

"Immediately after the incident several organisations and people came on the road to protest against the petitioner which led to law and order problem. On February 20, immediately after the arrest of the petitioner, the Karnataka Dalitha Sangarsha Samithi has protested against her to take proper legal action against her. On February 21, Hindu Jana Jagruthi Samithi and some other organisations protested against the petitioner in front of Town Hall peacefully. However one lady called Aridra, all of a sudden appeared behind protestors and displayed play card with slogan "Liberate Muslim Dalits, Kashmiri Trans-genders" so as to create enmity between the groups and classes of people.

Because of the petitioner sloganeering praising Pakistan, there was a protest at Kumbhara Koppa Village of Koppa Taluk, where the father of the petitioner resides. Hence, if the petitioner is enlarged on bail, more such protest may take place either in favour of the Petitioner as against the incident".

The statement also relies on previous cases against Amulya by saying "During the investigation, it is also revealed that the petitioner has also made instigating speeches in Kolar, Udupi and Vijayapura so as to incite the communities which has the effect of disturbing the maintenance of communal harmony".

“Moreover, the investigation of the organizers, who have conducted the meeting on 20.02.2020 at Freedom Park is yet to be started in view of COVID-19 lockdown and if the Petitioner is released on bail, she may influence those organizers not to co-operate with the investigation. Since a bail application is pending before the sessions court the present plea is not maintainable,” it was submitted.

The court will hear the plea on May 28.