CEC Protest Case: 17 Students Granted Bail

• Patiala House Court grants bail to 17 students.
• Court cites students’ age and career prospects.
• Bail comes with strict conditions and restrictions.
• DCP report sought on custodial torture allegations.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 6th Oct: Seventeen students arrested during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi were granted bail late Monday night, with the court directing jail authorities to ensure necessary medical treatment for those who sustained injuries.

In four separate orders passed between 9 pm and 9:25 pm, Judicial Magistrate First Class Animesh Kumar of Patiala House Court granted bail to the 17 students produced before the court in connection with an FIR registered at the Parliament Street police station.
The court observed that while the allegations against the accused were “serious”, they did not appear to be “habitual offenders”.

“Accused persons are of very young age and do not appear to be habitual offenders. No purpose would be served by sending the accused persons to judicial custody as they are students and their career prospects may get hampered,” the court observed.

The students were ordered to be released on bail on furnishing a personal bond with one surety of the same amount, subject to conditions imposed by the court.

The court directed the accused not to directly or indirectly induce, threaten or influence anyone acquainted with the facts of the case and not to tamper with evidence. They were also restrained from committing any offence while on bail.

As part of the bail conditions, the students must provide their correct permanent and residential addresses and active mobile numbers, keep the numbers operational and inform the court about any change of address. They have also been directed to appear before the concerned court on every date of hearing and cannot leave the country without prior permission.

The court made it clear that any violation of the bail conditions would allow the investigating agency to seek cancellation of bail.

The Delhi Police case alleges that the students were part of an unlawful assembly, obstructed or blocked public space, manhandled police personnel and damaged public property.

The investigating officer had sought 14 days of judicial custody, arguing that the accused could commit further offences or interfere with the investigation.

The court, however, sought a report from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) regarding allegations of custodial torture made by two of the accused.