Lawyer-Activist Sudha Bharadwaj Released After Over 3 Years In Jail

Lawyer and well-known tribal rights activist Sudha Bharadwaj walked out of Byculla women's prison today after over 1000 days of incarceration in the Bhima Koregaon – Elgar Parishad caste violence Case. Bharadwaj was arrested on August 28, 2018. The Special NIA court set 16 bail conditions for Bharadwaj yesterday. The Bombay High Court had directed Bharadwaj to be produced before the special court to decide her bail conditions after granting her default bail on December 1. The Special Court directed her to be released on furnishing a personal bond of Rs.50,000/- and cash security of Rs.50,000/-, giving her three months to arrange for one or more solvent sureties of the like amount. Her bail conditions are as follows – Reside within the jurisdiction of the Mumbai court and shall not leave without the Special court's permission.Shall inform the court and the NIA immediately about her place of residence within Mumbai and her contact numbers. Bhardwaj would also have to give the contact numbers of her relatives residing with her.Shall submit a list of at least three blood relatives with their detailed residential and work addresses, with documentary proof.Must inform the NIA and the court if there is any change of her residential address while she is on bail.Submit copies of at least two identity proofs —passport, Aadhar card, PAN card, ration card, electricity bill, voter identity card.After the documents are submitted, the NIA shall conduct physical or virtual verification of her residential address and place a report before the court.Attend the proceedings of trial and shall see that the trial is not protracted due to her absence.Report to the nearest police station through WhatsApp video call fortnightly.Shall not make any statement regarding the proceedings pending before the court before any form of media — print, electronic or social.Not indulge in any activity similar to the activities on the basis of which the present FIR was registered against her for offences under the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.Shall not try to establish communication with co-accused or any other person involved directly or indirectly in similar activities or make any international call to any person indulging in similar activities.Shall not undertake any action which is prejudicial to the proceedings pending before the court.Shall not personally, or through anyone, make any attempt to influence prosecution witnesses or tamper with the evidence.Shall not be any gathering of visitors, other than near relatives, where the accused shall reside within the jurisdiction of the court.She shall surrender her passport and not misuse the liberty.

Lawyer-Activist Sudha Bharadwaj Released After Over 3 Years In Jail

Sharmeen Hakim

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