'Videos Submitted By Delhi Police Don't Show Natasha Narwal Indulging In Or Instigating Violence', Delhi Court Grants Bail To Pinjra Tod Member

[Updated with order]

A Delhi Court on Thursday granted bail to Pinjra Tod member Natasha Narwal who is accused of instigating the riots that took place in the northeast districts of Delhi.

While granting bail, Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat noted that the video shown by the prosecution does show Narwal participating in the 'unlawful assembly', but it doesn't show anything to suggest that she indulged in or incited violence.

The court further observed that Narwal doesn't pose any flight risk and all the witnesses in the case are either police officers or protected witnesses.

Opposing Narwal's bail, Delhi Police argued that she had opened up her office near the protest site where meetings were held to further their steps to organise protests and riots.

'These meetings were also attended by Umar Khalid, Mehmood Pracha, and Amanatullah Khan, as well', Delhi Police argued.

The police also argued that by showing that she's a PhD scholar from JNU and that she knows the law, she instigated people to get violent and throw stones to defend themselves from getting evicted.

While noting that the co-accused Devangana Kalita has already been granted bail in this FIR, the court observed that it is mindful of the fact that there are statements recorded under sections 161 and 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code that accuse Narwal of inciting violence.

The Court also noted that the co-accused, Devangana Kalita, was granted bail by the Delhi High Court on September 1.

No Material Produced By Delhi Police To Show That Devangana Kalita Instigated Violence Or Gave Hate Speech: Delhi HC [Read Order]

Despite being released on bail in the present matter, Narwal won't be released from the prison as there's another FIR registered against her under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. (FIR No. 59/2020)

Narwal is currently lodged in Tihar prison as an accused under three FIRs that have been registered against her for allegedly fuelling the riots.

On March 23, Narwal was arrested in connection with a case filed against certain Anti-CAA protesters in Jaffrabad. However, she was immediately released on bail.

On account of her being released on bail, another FIR was registered against for allegedly instigating the Delhi riots and she has been in judicial custody ever since.

Narwal has been accused of various offences under the Indian Penal Code as well as the provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. The cases against her and another member of Pinjra Tod Devangana Kalita, are being investigated by the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police.

Earlier, Narwal had to move the Delhi High Court for seeking legal interviews with her lawyer through video conferencing and access to books and telephonic calls.

Natasha Narwal in the present case was represented by Advocate Adit S Pujari.

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