Delhi violence: SC refuses to stay bail of three activists, will examine HC order on UAPA law

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the bail granted by the Delhi High Court to student activists Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita and Asif Iqbal Tanha in a case related to violence in the national Capital in February 2020, reported Bar and Bench.

The Delhi Police had approached the Supreme Court on Wednesday against the bail order.

A vacation bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and V Ramasubramanian refused to interfere with the High Court order. The court, however, issued notices to the three activists, observing that the High Court order could have “pan-India ramification”.

“The way the UAPA act [Unlawful Activities Prevention Act] has been interpreted needs to be examine by SC, hence notice we are issuing,” Gupta said.

The court also said that the High Court order will not be treated as a precedent by any party before any court at this stage. The matter will next be heard on July 19.

‘Conspiracy’ case against the activists

The case pertains to the Delhi Police’s allegations that the three student activists were part of a “larger conspiracy” in the violence that followed protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act last year. The three activists were charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Kalita and Narwal are members of women’s rights group Pinjra Tod, while…

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