[BREAKING] "Scanty, sketchy evidence, no criminal antecedents;" Delhi Court grants bail to Disha Ravi in farmers' protests toolkit case

A Delhi Sessions Court today granted bail to 22-year-old climate change activist Disha Ravi in connection with the farmers protests toolkit FIR (State v. Disha A Ravi).

Bail was granted subject to filing of personal bondin the sum of Rs 1 lakh with two sureties each of the like amount.

The Court noted that considering the scanty and sketchy evidence, there were no palpable reason to breach the rule of bail for a 22-year-old girl who has absolutely no criminal antecedents.

"Considering the scanty and sketchy evidence available on record, I do not find any palpable reasons to breach the general rule of ‘ Bail’ against a 22 years old young lady, with absolutely blemish free criminal antecedents and having firm roots in the society, and send her to jail.", the Court said.

As bail conditions, the Court has directed Disha Ravi to continue to cooperate with the ongoing investigations and join the same as and when summoned by the Investigating Officer.

Ravi has also been directed to not leave the country without the permission of the court and to scrupulously appear at each and every stage of the proceedings before concerned Court so as not to cause any obstruction or delay to its progress.

Meanwhile, Ravi was produced before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Patiala House by the Delhi Police at the end of her police custody, which expired today.

CMM Pankaj Sharma noted that the Delhi Police's plea seeking four more days of police custody of Ravi would be disposed of post confirmation of bail.

The order was passed today by Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana after it was reserved on Saturday.

As per the Delhi Police, Ravi edited the toolkit containing anti-India content at the behest of pro-Khalistani organisations which sought to create violence amid the farmers' protests.

Ravi was apprehended by the Delhi Police on February 13 from Bangalore.

Appearing for Ravi, Advocate Sidharth Agarwal sought bail on the ground that she had no links with the Khalistan movement and her cause was limited to climate and agriculture.

In view of the fact that the other accused - Nikita Jacob and Shantanu Muluk - were already on transit bail for the time being, counsel for Ravi had urged the Court to direct her release albeit subject to conditions.

"I will not leave Delhi. I'm not here to obstruct any investigation," Agarwal had said.

He also vehemently argued that no case of sedition or incitement of violence was made out against Ravi.

Delhi Police had opposed the release of Ravi on the apprehension of tampering of evidence. The prosecution argued that Ravi, along with other accused persons, conspired with pro-Khalistani Candian organisations, Poetic Justice Foundation and Sikhs for Justice, to defame India.

It was added that Ravi shared the toolkit with Greta Thunberg, whose tweet on the same led to the discovery of the conspiracy.

Delhi Police maintained that during her police custody, Ravi shifted the blame to Jacob and Muluk, and it was thus necessary to confront her with them.

Yesterday, while the Delhi Police had sought five-day police custody of Ravi, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate had sent her to one-day police remand.

ASG SV Raju and Additional Public Prosecutor Irfan Ahmed appeared for the State. Advocate Sidharth Agarwal appeared for Ravi.

[Read Order]