On Tuesday, Safoora Zargar, a 27-year-old student from Jamia Milia Islamia under detention for an alleged conspiracy behind the Delhi riots, was released on humanitarian grounds by the Delhi High Court, after the Delhi Police stated no opposition to her release.
While appearing on behalf of Delhi Police, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted without going into the merit of plea and without considering it as precedent, that the state has no problem with Safoora being released, provided she doesn’t indulge in activities she’s being investigated for. There has been great concern raised about Safoora’s confinement, who is in the 23rd week of her pregnancy in the overcrowded Tihar Jail amid COVID-19.
Based on the centre’s admission, a bench of Justice Rajiv Shakhdher granted regular bail to Safoora Zargar on furnishing a personal bond of ₹10k and on some following conditions:
- She should not be part of any activities she is being investigated for.
- She should refrain from encumbering the investigation.
- She has to seek the permission of the concerned court before leaving the territory of Delhi.
- She has to get in touch through a phone call with the Investigating Officer once in every 15 days.
The Delhi High Court also clarified that the order should not be ‘treated as a precedent’ in this case or any other case. Justice Shakhdher also highlighted that he had received certain documents in ‘sealed cover’ from the State, which he has not opened or perused. The same will be returned to the office of the Solicitor General, the judge said.
Safoora has challenged the June 4 order of the Patiala House court before the Delhi High Court, rejecting her bail application. She has been booked under the UAPA on the allegation that she indulged in a criminal conspiracy in the riots which happened in North East Delhi during February 23-25.