"Scanty and Sketchy evidence on record": Delhi Court Grants Bail to Disha Ravi

New Delhi: 22-year-old climate activist Disha Ravi who was arrested in connection with the 'toolkit' case, in line with the farmers' protest was granted bail today by the Patiala House Court.

Disha was arrested by the Delhi Police on February 13 from her Bengaluru residence in the farmers' protest toolkit case.

Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana after hearing a detailed argument was of the opinion that the evidence on record by the prosecution is not sufficient to keep a 22-year-old in custody.

"Considering the scanty and sketchy evidence on record, I do not find any palpable reason to breach the rule of bail for a 22-year-old girl who have absolutely no criminal antecedents," Judge Rana said in his bail order.

The court granted her bail on the condition that she had to furnish a personal bond of Rupees one lakh and two sureties of Rupees One Lakh each. The court further directed that she shall not leave the country without the court's permission and continue to cooperate with the ongoing investigations and join the investigation as and when summoned.

During the argument, the Delhi Police alleged that it was not just a toolkit but a plan to defame India and create unrest on January 26 during the farmers' tractor rally in Delhi. They further sought an extension of Disha's custody alleging that she could tamper evidence if she were to be released.

However, the court doubted the Delhi Police's reasoning 'conjecture'.

The court ruled out the claims that the sharing of the 'toolkit' with teenage Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg amounted to conspiring against the country.

Disha was accused by the Delhi Police of creating and spreading an online document in line with the farmers' protest, which the police say was meant to revive a Khalistani group and malign the image of the country.

Disha in her defense said that she had only edited two lines of the document and not created it and that she only wanted to support the farmers' protest against the three controversial laws. She had said in court, "If highlighting farmers' protest globally is sedition, I am better [off] in jail."

Delhi Police claim that Disha along with two other activists Shantanu Muluk and lawyer Nikita Jacob were linked to pro-Khalistani Candian organisations, Poetic Justice Foundation and Sikhs for Justice and conspiring to cause violence during the farmers' protest on Republic Day.

However, the court dismissed the claims and questioned the evidence that links Disha with the January 26 violence.

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