Rajasthan Court Rejects Cow Vigilante Monu Manesar's Bail Plea In 2023 Junaid-Nasir Murder Case

Observing that accusations are grave against him, a Rajasthan Court has refused bail to Cow Vigilante Monu Manesar in 2023 Junaid and Nasir murder case.

Manesar is accused of conspiring to murder Junaid and Nasir along with a group of cow vigilantes by burning them in a vehicle in Haryana in the name of cow vigilantism. The FIR was lodged at Gopalgarh police station at Rajasthan since the victims were residents there.

Examining the statements recorded under Section 161 CrPC, recovery memo, site plan, call details and DNA result, Session Judge Vijay Singh Mahawer said prima facie case is made out against Mohit @ Monu Manesar under Sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 435 (Mischief by fire), 364 (Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder), 367 (Kidnapping or abducting in order to subject person to grievous hurt, slavery, etc), 368 (Wrongfully concealing or keeping in confinement, kidnapped or abducted person), 302 (murder), 120B (conspiracy) IPC.

Court also said it cannot rule out the possibility of intimidating or threatening the witnesses, given the gravity of offence alleged against him.

Adding that Manesar is accused of three other criminal cases of serious nature, the Court referred to Apex Court's judgement in Neeru Yadav v. State of UP, wherein it was held that while dismissing the bail plea accused person's criminal record, his involvement in criminal cases etc. should be considered.

The Court was hearing Manesar's bail application under Section 439 CrPC.

The counsel representing Manesar argued that he has been falsely implicated and arrayed in the FIR only on political pressure. He also submitted that Manesar is a permanent resident of Gurugram, hence he is not on flight risk.

On the other hand, Public Prosecutor opposing the bail argued that Manesar is named in the FIR and he along with group of Cow vigilante wanted to extort money from Junaid and Nasir. Thereafter, he conspired their abduction and murder.

After hearing both the parties and examining material on record, the Court said, the WhatsApp chat exchanged between Monu Manesar and co-accused Rinku Saini shows there was some conversation regarding Junaid and Bolero vehicle, thereafter Junaid and Nasir were burnt in the same car.

The Judge also noted that Monu Manesar messaged Rinku to switch off his phone after the incident.

Consequently, the Court rejected the bail plea stating that the nature of allegations against the accused are grave.

Case Title: Mohit @ Monu Manesar v. State of Rajasthan