New Delhi, February 27: The Patiala House Court in Delhi granted bail to all 14 students arrested in connection with the protest at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Friday. The court stated that the accused are neither professional nor habitual offenders.
During the hearing, the Delhi Police opposed the bail, arguing that judicial custody was necessary to further the investigation. They expressed concerns that the accused might resort to violence again.
The police claimed that the protest was not peaceful and involved violence from the demonstrators. They reported clashes between the students and police officers, resulting in injuries to law enforcement personnel. The police informed the court that the accused had previously engaged in violent protests, leading to four different FIRs being filed against them.
One student alleged in court that 4-5 individuals in plain clothes forcibly pulled her from the crowd, causing injuries to her hand and resulting in blood clots.
In defense, the lawyers for the accused stated that all students were willing to cooperate with the investigation and were prepared to provide written assurances to the court.
The court acknowledged that attacks on police officers are serious offenses and cannot be justified under the guise of peaceful protest. It noted that the charges against the accused carry a maximum penalty of up to five years. However, considering the circumstances and the fact that the accused are not habitual offenders, the court granted bail with a personal bond of ₹25,000.
