Chandigarh, February 26
Activist Nodeep Kaur was granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday, reported news agency ANI.
In the bail plea, filed through her counsel, R. S. Cheema, Arshdeep Singh Cheema and Harinder Deep Singh Bains, Kaur had stated that she was falsely arraigned as accused in an FIR lodged under various sections, including attempt to murder, assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty and other offences under Sections 148, 149, 332, 353, 186, 384, 379-b, 307.
Justice Avneesh Jhingan passed the order after hearing lengthy arguments in the matter.
Taking suo motu cognizance of emails alleging her illegal confinement by the Haryana Police, the High Court had earlier ordered treating the matter as a criminal writ petition.
The Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes has already taken suo motu notice of the reports highlighting the matter. It asked the state Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to intervene and also called for a report by February 23 after initiating immediate requisite action. Panel chairperson Tejinder Kaur said that the Commission took suo motu notice since the victim was a resident of Sri Muktsar Sahib district.
In her petition, the labour rights activist claimed that she was “targeted and falsely implicated” in the case as she was successful in generating massive support for the ongoing farmer movement against the Centre’s three new farm laws.
Kaur, who is a member of the Majdoor Adhikar Sangathan, said they mobilized people for a protest at Kundli in the Sonipat district against the Centre’s new farm laws.
The plea alleged that the mobilisation of local labourers in support of farmers annoyed the administration and a plan was devised to stifle the protest.
Kaur was arrested in Haryana’s Sonipat on January 12, the Haryana police had earlier said.
