Undergoes COVID test, further investigation as per law
Morung Express News
Kohima | July 20
A Mumbai-based animal rights activist Hema Chowdhary, who was arrested by the Nagaland police in Mumbai on July 17, was brought to Nagaland today. The accused, arrested on charges of making derogatory remarks targeting Nagaland, reached Kohima escorted by two women police officers of the Nagaland Police.
After reaching Kohima, Chowdhary, the two police escorts and their driver were directly taken to Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima for COVID-19 tests. A doctor at the NHAK informed that the test results will be known on Tuesday.
According to a press release issued by the PRO of the Nagaland Police Headquarters, SP (Crime) Manoj Kumar, Chowdhary posted a video on YouTube and Facebook on July 4, in which, “The said person has made derogatory statements against the Nagas conducing to public mischief and also promoting enmity between different groups of people, which is pre-judicial to maintenance of harmony.”
The video whipped up a barrage of complaints against her resulting in a number of FIRs calling for her arrest. Finally, on July, The Cyber Crime Police Station registered a case under sections 153A/153B/505(1)/505(2) of the IPC, read with, sections 3(r)/3(s)/3(u) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kohima, issued a non-bailable warrant of arrest against Chowdhary. Subsequently, a Nagaland Police team was sent to Mumbai on July 15 and affected her arrest from her Oshiwara residence in the city, in coordination with the Mumbai Police on July 17.
A Mumbai court granted a 4-day Transit Remand to bring her to Nagaland from Mumbai via Delhi and Imphal.
The release added, “All standard operating protocols as per the guidelines issued by State Health & Family Welfare Department relating to COVID-19 pandemic are being adhered to. Further investigation into the offence will be made as per the laid down procedures of law.”
