Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted bail to the Dalit activist Nodeep Kaur in connection to the third case registered against her amidst ongoing farmers’ protests. Earlier, she was granted bail in the two other cases lodged against her.
A single-judge bench of Justice Avneesh Jinghan announced the verdict. He had sought all the medical reports of Nodeep Kaur on February 24.
The bench heard the suo moto case of her alleged illegal detention and her bail plea together. In today’s hearing, the court has only heard the arguments related to the bail plea. However, the matter about the allegations about Kaur’s illegal detention will continue to be heard by the court.
Senior advocate argued before the court that she is not a flight risk and that bail is rule, jail is exception.
The bail was granted upon a prima facie observation that there was nothing to substantiate the allegations of an attempt to murder levelled against Kaur, among other reasons.
Her bail plea in connection to the third FIR alleged that she was beaten and tortured in custody. She alleged that she has been targeted and falsely implicated.
As per the third FIR, Kaur was booked under Section 307 (attempt to murder), Section 146 (rioting), and Section 353 (assault to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty) of the Indian Penal Code.
Who is Nodeep Kaur?
Nodeep Kaur who got support not only within the country but from across the borders is a member of Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan. She was arrested on January 12 for mobilizing the workers near the Singhu border which is an epicentre of the ongoing farmers’ protests against three controversial farm laws.
She had staged a protest at Kundli industrial area, near Singhu along with her colleagues outside a factory for non-payment of wages.
Nodeep Kaur was facing three separate FIRs including charges of attempt to murder and extortion. She was arrested on January 12 and has been lodged in a jail in Haryana. She got bail in two of three cases on February 12 and February 15, respectively.
