Chandra Shekhar Azad

 

Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad released from Tihar Jail

By Press Trust of India: Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad, who was arrested in connection with the violence during an anti-CAA protest in Old Delhi's Daryaganj, was released from Tihar Jail on Thursday night, officials said.

Azad's outfit had organised a march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar against the amended citizenship act on December 20, without police permission. He was sent to judicial custody on December 21.

On Wednesday, a Delhi court had granted bail to Azad, who was accused of inciting people during the anti-CAA protest at Jama Masjid.

The court also restrained Azad from visiting Delhi for four weeks and directed him not to hold any dharna till the elections in the national capital.

Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau had granted the relief to Azad on furnishing a bail bond of Rs 25,000.

While granting bail to Azad on Wednesday, the judge recited Rabindranath Tagore's famous poem 'Where the Mind is Without Fear' and said citizens have a fundamental right to peaceful protest which cannot be curtailed by the state.

"I am reminded of our reverend patriotic poet Rabindranath Tagore who is most relevant today. He during the colonial era in early 1900's when British followed the policy of Divide and Rule, visualised a nation where where there is no fear in the minds people and education is attained by all; people are enlightened and do not create walls of discrimination," she had said.The Bhim Army chief had gone to Jaipur to support the protest called by Covid Health Assistants, who want permanent positions. Activist Dharmendra Kumar told the Indian Express that the Bhim Army members were arrested to stop their involvement in the protest. “They were planning to support CHA on July 2. Jaipur police was also told that if the government does not want the protest to be held now, it can be postponed. Alternatively, a memorandum can be submitted to a government official. However, the police arrived around 12:30 am and picked up Azad and others,” he said.

Rights activist in the city have alleged that Azad’s arrest was illegal and due process was not followed. “Mr. Azad was sent to custody without getting any opportunity to be heard or to file a proper bail application through his lawyer,” The Hindu quoted Kumar as saying.

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties issues a statement condemning Azad’s arrest and questioning the process. “What was the urgency to arrest them in the middle of the night? The other 21 accused, all Dalits who were with Azad in the hotel, were also dragged out from their rooms and all 22 were arrested under CrPC section 151,” PUCL said.