170 Advocates Sign Vakalat To Represent Student Accused Of Sedition For 'Free Kashmir' Placard

Around 170 advocates from across the state of Karnataka  have signed Vakalatnama for Nalini Balakumar, who has been booked for sedition under IPC Section 124A (sedition), for allegedly holding a "Free Kashmir Placard" during an anti-CAA protest at the University of Mysore campus on January 8.

Last week, the Mysuru Bar Association had passed a resolution deciding that none of its members would represent Nalini.

Secretary of All India Lawyers Union, Srinivas Kumar, said "Advocates from different districts including Mysuru signed the vakalatnama. The hearing on the bail application for Nalini will continue on January 24, as the prosecution wanted sometime to argue."

People's Lawyers Guild President, Advocate Anis Pasha, made submissions for Nalini in the Additional Sessions Court Mysuru seeking permanent anticipatory bail. It was argued by him that the charges leveled are false and that she was a student with no chances of absconding. The counsel also submitted that the case is part of a recent trend to slap sedition charges on those who question the government. The court must take strict view of this and initiate action against concerned police officers and complainant, urged the counsel.

The court adjourned the hearing on the case to January 24, as the prosecution sought time to reply.

The court had earlier granted interim bail to the student.