Toolkit case: No coercive action against Shantanu Muluk till March 9, orders Delhi court

A Delhi court on Thursday extended the interim protection from arrest granted to Shantanu Muluk in the ‘toolkit’ FIR registered by the Delhi Police in connection with the farmers’ protests.

Adjourning the hearing till March 9 in Muluk's anticipatory bail plea, Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana said, "Meanwhile, no coercive action be taken against the applicant."

The order was passed after Additional Public Prosecutor Irfan Ahmed sought seven more days to file a "detailed reply" to the anticipatory bail plea.

Ahmed said that during the ongoing investigation in the toolkit case, there were "contradictory replies" which necessitated further confrontation, Bar & Bench reported.

He further stated that in the meantime, no coercive action would be taken against Muluk.

Advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for Muluk, did not oppose the adjournment in view of the extension of the interim protection.

In his bail plea before the court, Muluk has asserted that the toolkit has no reference to any call for violence or unlawful activities. It was explained that the toolkit was just a platform to display information about the farmers' protests and that he has no connections with any Khalistani group.

Muluk has also claimed that there was nothing objectionable in the January 11 Zoom call organized by ‘Ask India Why’.

Disha Ravi was granted bail by the court on Tuesday in connection with the same FIR.