Court denies bail to Virender Singh

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, March 15

District and Sessions Judge Sushil Kumar Gupta today dismissed the bail application of Prof Virender Singh, a former political adviser to ex-Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Virender, who had been booked for sedition and other offences, had applied for anticipatory bail at the Rohtak Sessions Court .

The District and Sessions Judge observed: “I do agree that from the conversation between the accused applicant (Virender) and Capt Man Singh, the offence of sedition is prima facie not made out as it cannot be concluded from the said conversation that the agitation had gone violent at the instigation of the accused applicant. There may be other reasons for the same.”

He stated that “If he (Virender) is innocent and had no role in the eruption of violence, he should immediately surrender and join the investigation instead of running away from justice.”

Asserting that the matter required a deep probe, the Judge stated: “If during investigation, it is found that the accused applicant had also some role in the violence which erupted on account of the agitation, there is no doubt that the charge of sedition against him shall be made out. The application is thus dismissed.

JK Gakhar, counsel for Prof Virender Singh, said they would now move the High Court for bail.

Rohtak being sealed for security, says DC

Rohtak: Deputy Commissioner Atul Kumar has stated that the district police and administration, including the intelligence agencies, were keeping a close vigil on local residents and anybody trying to disrupt peace, law and order would be strictly dealt with. In a media interaction here today, the Deputy Commissioner said Rohtak town was being sealed to ensure safety and security of  residents and a close watch was being maintained on rural areas and the social media. “Barriers and check-posts are being installed at all entry points to the town. These check-posts are being manned by well-armed security personnel. A combing operation has also been launched to scan interior parts of the town,” he revealed. Kumar said the district administration had demanded additional security forces.  TNS