New Delhi, Feb 2 (UNI) A Delhi Court on Tuesday granted bail to freelance journalist Mandeep Punia, who was arrested by the Delhi Police from Singhu border while he was covering the farmers' protests on January 30.

While granting bail to the scribe, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Satvir Singh Lamba noted that "Bail is a rule and jail is an exception."

"There is no possibility that the accused can able to influence any of the police officials. Admittedly, the accused is a freelancer journalist. Moreso, no recovery is to be effected from the accused person and keeping the accused further in Judicial Custody would not serve any cogent purpose," the bench asserted.

The court granted bail to Punia on furnishing bail bond in a sum of Rs 25,000 along with one sound surety in the like amount and directed him not to leave the country without its permission.

Punia was arrested by police on Sunday in an FIR registered under various sections including 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) of IPC.

He was presented before Court number 2 (Tihar Jail) by Delhi Police and the Metropolitan Magistrate Akhil Malik had sent him to 14-day judicial custody.

Notably, in a video clip, a group of policemen can be seen with lathis forcibly taking Punia away.

During the course of hearing, Advocate Sarim Naved, on behalf of Punia, submitted that the scribe had been carrying out his duties along with other journalists at the protest site.

The Delhi police, while opposing the grant of bail, argued that Punia stood accused of grave offences including the creation of nuisance and instigating the protestors.

UNI JW JAL 1950