Special NIA Court Sets Conditions For Sudha Bharadwaj's Bail

After three years and three months of spending her time in custody without a proper charge sheet, the lawyer and the activist Sudha Bharadwaj, who was arrested for the 2018 Bhima Koregaon- Elgar Parishad case violence case, might step out today on bail. Sudha Bharadwaj Bail Terms Set and she was present in court for the verdict.

Recently, Supreme Court dismissed NIA's appeal against the bail granted by the Bombay High Court to Bharadwaj. Today, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court decided Sudha Bharadwaj's release date and bail conditions.

On December 1, the Bombay High Court granted default bail to Bharadwaj. However, the court rejected the bail appeal of eight other accused- Dr P Varavara Rao, Rona Wilson, Sudhir Dawale, Advocate Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Vernon Gonsalves, Professor Shoma Sen and Arun Ferreira, who were arrested between June and August 2018.

The judge DE Kothalikar ordered to impose conditions to enable her to resume the practice as it is her source of income. For her advocate, Yug Chaudhary had argued that Bharadwaj is a practising lawyer from Chattisgarh, she should be allowed to travel between Mumbai, Chattisgarh and Delhi. Since she needs a living to pay her lawyers. Chaudhary also insisted on a low bail amount while giving assurance that she is not absconding.

However, the court said that she will have to reside in the jurisdiction of the court that means she cannot leave Mumbai without the court's permission. She will also have to inform NIA and the court of her place of residence, contact number and at least three blood relatives contact.

The representative for NIA argued that cash bail for one month can be done as the "tampering of evidence" cannot be ruled out.

The court while approving the bail, said that Bharadwaj will be released on furnishing surety of Rs 50,000 and two solvent sureties, to ensure she is financially capable of paying the release bond.

The court also said that NIA is allowed to conduct physical or virtual verification of the residence. She will have to attend trials and cannot make media statements. To which her advocate argued that the court should not stifle fundamental rights. Bharadwaj is allowed to meet a few relatives and her daughter, who was also present in the court.

Suggested Reading:

In Sudha Bharadwaj Case Apex Court Rejects NIA’s Plea To Interfere With Bail Order

Sudha Bharadwaj Gets Bail In Bhima Koregaon Case

Sudha Bharadwaj Birthday: Netizens Send Love And Hashtags Trend For Her Release

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