Plea against activists’ bail by HC: SC asks Delhi Police what it really wants by filing it

In jail for a year, they were accused of offences under UAPA in connection with north-east Delhi riots that broke out after CAA protests turned violent last year

The Supreme Court on Thursday said it was “very unlikely” that the Delhi Police would be able to “persuade” it to set aside the bail granted to activists Devangana Kalita, Natasha Narwal and Asif Iqbal Tanha. The three students were granted bail by the Delhi High Court after a year’s incarceration in Tihar Jail. They were accused of offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the north-east Delhi riots that broke out after the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) turned violent last year. The High Court had accused the police of blurring the line between a “terrorist act” under the UAPA and the students’ right to protest against a law. “It is very unlikely, but you can try,” Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul replied to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi Police. The judge was responding to Mr. Mehta’s submission that he would “persuade” the court to set aside the High Court order.