A Delhi court Tuesday allowed Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad, accused of giving "inflammatory speeches" during an anti-CAA protest at Jama Masjid here last month, to visit Delhi for medical reasons and election purposes, while modifying the conditions imposed on him while granting him bail in the case.
Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau directed Azad to register his presence at the Station House Officer (SHO) of Fatehpur police station in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, every Saturday for four weeks and on the last Saturday of every month.
"If he is in Delhi, he should inform about his schedule to the DCP of Crime Branch, New Delhi, and mark his presence there. If he is anywhere else, he should inform the DCP of Crime Branch, New Delhi about his whereabouts.
"He can visit Delhi for treatment of his medical condition and election purposes or any other purpose, but he should inform the DCP of Crime Branch about his schedule. He can stay in Delhi at his friend's place at the address given to the court," the court said.
It passed the directions on a plea filed by Azad seeking modification of the conditions imposed on him when the court had granted him bail in a case related to violent protests in old Delhi's Daryaganj area on December 20.
The plea said the Bhim Army Chief had an office in the national capital where he held weekly meetings for his social cause.
The court said: "Election is the biggest festival in a democracy. Everybody has the right to participate in it and in fact we call for maximum participation. But while participating in election, the same time the rights of others should not be violated. Democracy cannot be a farce.
"If the (bail) conditions come in the way of Azad's participation in the elections, then conditions imposed on him shall be modified."
"You (police) are seeking cancellation of his bail on the basis of apprehensions. One week has passed, do you have nay material to show Azad's visits to Delhi was prejudicial to law and order, public order and national security? Was there any problem in the past one week. Do not submit apprehensions. Give only material evidence in the court."
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