TheDelhi court today granted bail to freelance journalist Mandeep Punia, who wasarrested while covering the violence at the farmers' protest site at Singhu onthe Delhi-Haryana border last week.
Policeon Saturday arrested Punia after he allegedly misbehaved with a Station HouseOfficer at the protest site. Police claimed that he was moving throughroadblocks and barricades when the alleged incident took place.
Grantinghim bail subject to certain conditions, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate SatvirSingh Lamba noted that the alleged scuffle took place around 6.30 pm, but theFIR was registered at 1.21 am the next day.
"Moreover,the complainant, victims and witnesses are police personnel only. Hence, thereis no possibility that accused will be able to influence any of the policeofficials... keeping the accused further in judicial custody will not serve anycogent purpose," the court order said.
TheChief Metropolitan Magistrate said that it was well settled principle of lawthat 'bail is a rule and jail is an exception'.
"Hence,considering the totality of facts and circumstances of the present case, he isadmitted to bail on furnishing a bail bond."
Puniawas bailed out on the condition that he will not jump bail, appear in the courtregularly and not leave the country without prior court permission.
Hewas also asked not to indulge in similar or any other offence in the event ofrelease on bail, and not tamper with evidence.
Punia'scounsel submitted that his client was "falsely implicated" in thecase and that he was merely carrying out his duties at the protest site.
Onthe other hand, the Additional Public Prosecutor strongly opposed the bail onthe ground that the charges against the accused were grave in nature.
Itwas also contended that the accused may again indulge in instigating theprotesters and create nuisance at the protest site with a group of differentpeople and hamper the investigation.