Journalist Mandeep Punia who was arrested from farmers' protest site granted bail

NEW DELHI: Journalist Mandeep Punia was granted bail by a Delhi court on Tuesday following much criticism of the arrest by city police.

The freelance journalist was arrested while covering the violence at the farmers’ protest site at Singhu last week.

Police have accused Punia of obstructing them in the discharge of their duties and beating police personnel.

Granting him bail subject to certain conditions, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Satvir Singh Lamba noted that the alleged scuf fle took place around 6.30 pm, but the FIR was registered at 1.21 am the next day.

“Moreover, the complainant, victims and witnesses are police personnel only. Hence, there is no possibility that accused will be able to influence any of the police officials... keeping the accused further in judicial custody will not serve any cogent purpose,” the court order said.

The magistrate said that it was well-settled principle of law that ‘bail is a rule and jail is an exception’.

“Hence, considering the totality of facts and circumstances of the present case, he is admitted to bail on furnishing a bail bond.”

Punia was bailed out on the condition that he will not jump bail, appear in the court regularly and not leave the country without prior court permission.

He was also asked not to indulge in similar or any other offence in the event of release on bail, and not tamper with evidence.

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