The day after a sessions court rejected the bail petition of Amulya Leona Noronha, the 19-year-old who was held on charges of sedition for saying “Pakistan Zindabad” at an anti-CAA protest in February, a magistrate’s court granted the college student “default bail” since the state had failed to file the chargesheet within the stipulated time period.
Police in Bengaluru were due to file a chargesheet on May 20, when the 90-day period since her arrest ended, but did so only on June 3.
The delay enabled Amulya’s advocates to move a plea under section 167(2) of the CrPC, under which those arrested are entitled to bail at the end of 60/90 days given to the police for investigation — if a chargesheet is not filed by then.
“I have heard that bail has been granted but I am yet to see the copy of the order,’’ said senior advocate and former state public prosecutor B T Venkatesh, who has been representing Amulya.
Amulya Will Abscond:
A local court rejected the bail application of controversial student activist Amulya Leona on the ground that she may abscond if set free, a police official said on Thursday.
"The 60th city civil and sessions court judge Vidyadhara Shirahatti on Wednesday rejected Amulya's bail plea fearing as she may flee if granted bail," a police official dealing with the sedition case against her said.
The 19-year-old activist was arrested on February 20 for shouting "Pakistan Zindabad" slogans at an anti-CAA rally, organised by the Hindu-Muslim-Sikh-Issai Federation in the city where AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi from Hyderabad was present with others leaders.
Later, the police filed a sedition case against Amulya for indulging in anti-national activities and instigating her friends to stage protest rallies and demonstrations against the ruling BJP government in the state and at the Centre.
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