Delhi High Court today granted bail to three activists in the Delhi riots case. These activists include Pinjra Tod Sangathan members Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita and Jamia Millia Islamia student Asif Iqbal Tanha.
All three are facing cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
While granting bail, the court told the government that it must understand the difference between the constitutional right to protest and terrorist activities.
Reversing the orders of the lower court not granting bail to the three activists, the High Court Bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Anup Jairam Bhambhani said, “We are constrained to say, that it appears, that in its anxiety to suppress dissent, and in the morbid fear that matters may get out of hand, the state has blurred the line between the constitutionally guaranteed ‘right to protest’ and ‘terrorist activity. If such blurring gains traction, democracy would be in peril,”
The High Court has granted bail to the three on the condition of production of a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties each. Apart from this, their passports have been deposited, and they have been asked to give their phone numbers to the local SHO.
They will have to stay at the address recorded in the jail records and have been asked to inform the station head if it is changed.
The trio has also been asked to stay away from activities affecting the investigation.