[Breaking] Farmers Protests Toolkit: Delhi Court sends Disha Ravi to one day of police custody

The Patiala House Court at Delhi today sent activist Disha Ravi for one more day of police custody in connection with the farmers protests toolkit case.

The order was passed by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Dr Pankaj Sharma.

Seeking a five-day extension of Ravi's police custody, the Additional Public Prosecutor Vikas Singh today argued that during her interrogation, she has shifted the burden to other accused and it was thus necessary to confront her with them.

In this regard, he noted that the other accused - Shantanu Muluk and Nikita Jacob - were granted transit anticipatory bail.

"In view of High Court order, we don't want to reveal things that can hamper investigation," he added.

Appearing for Ravi, Advocate Sidharth Agarwal argued,

"I was arrested on February 13. On 14th, I'm sent to 5 days police custody remand. They are arguing as it it's her first remand."

He went on to ask the Court,

"...what is so new today to change the nature of her custody? What is it that can be done only in police custody?"

He submitted that it is not the law that police custody can be granted on asking, and also highlighted the bail order which has been reserved by another court.

When Agarwal highlighted that the bail order is pending, the Prosecutor said,

"If five days PC is given, will the Sessions Judge change his order on bail?"

The Prosecutor went on to argue that that the other accused may take advantage if police custody of Ravi is not granted.

A Delhi Police officer who was present in court added,

"We didn't make any unnecessary PC remand plea. It is not a petty case. It is a transnational case. It is a complex case. Our endeavour is to finish the investigation as soon as possible."

Ravi was apprehended by the Delhi Police on February 13 after it was alleged that she had made edits to a Google document that was shared as a “toolkit” related to the ongoing farmers protests.

The Delhi Police has claimed that the “toolkit” itself was created by a Khalistani group, Poetic Justice Foundation and was edited by Disha Ravi. It was Ravi who shared the same with environmental activist Greta Thunberg, the police alleged.

On February 19, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate sent to three days judicial custody in connection with the case.

Meanwhile, on February 20, a Delhi court reserved its orders in the bail plea moved by Ravi in the case. During the course of that hearing, the Court had grilled the prosecution on how the toolkit was connected with the violence that took place in the capital on Republic Day this year.