The Mumbai-based animal activist Hema Chowdhary was arrested on July 17 on charges of making ‘derogatory remarks’ targeting Nagaland. She was brought to Kohima by the Nagaland Police on July 20. (Representative image: pixabay.com)
Kohima, September 9 (MExN): The Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court, on September 9, granted bail to Mumbai-based animal activist Hema Chowdhary pending fulfillment of certain conditions
Chowdhary was arrested on July 17 on charges of making ‘derogatory remarks’ targeting Nagaland. She was brought to Kohima by the Nagaland Police on July 20.
One condition required the accused to furnish a local surety. The accused and the bailer “shall sign a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh each and the accused shall not leave the jurisdiction of this court without prior permission,” the order said.
The accused was also asked to report to the Investigating Officer (IO) once in a week till the filing of the charge-sheet.
“The accused be released on fulfilling the above mentioned conditions before the learned Special Judge, ST & SC (POA), Kohima,” the order said.
In granting the bail, the HC observed that accused, a diabetic patient, had already spent 55 days in the custody and said that the provisions of the CrPC is “clear that categories of people who are sick and infirm, children and women are to be considered for bail if they are not involved in heinous offences carrying life sentence.”
“In the instant case, I find that all the charges against the accused are below 5 years,” the order said.
However, it further observed that it is a “fact that the sentiments of the Nagas have been deeply hurt and also we must record the appreciation for the investigation who have taken all the trouble of going to Mumbai and arresting the accused.” “We do not want their hard works to be wasted,” it said.
While the accused has uttered hurting statements, “... 55 days of incarceration have made her realize her mistakes and she has offered to tender apology to the Naga community which is infact gratifying,” it added.
Accordingly, the bail was granted, however “not unconcerned of the anxiety of the prosecution and such conditions as desired by the prosecution” the aforesaid conditions for bail were made.
