Haryana youngster accused of assault on Sikhs in Australia to stay in jail

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 13

The case against Vishal Jood from Haryana, who is in an Australian jail for allegedly attacking members of the Sikh community, will come up for hearing next year after the judge decided to continue with the ‘bail refused status’.

The magistrate at a Sydney court set a new hearing date on January 27, 2022, for 10 out of 12 charges and another hearing for two counts of assault for January 31, 2022.

Jood’s release has been sought by Haryana Chief Minister M L Khattar, BJP leader Kapil Mishra, Olympian Yogeshwar Dutt and Delhi BJP spokesperson Tejinder Bagga. There is also a social media campaign claiming that Jood was trying to protect the Indian flag from being dishonoured by ‘Khalistanis’.

The police claim that Jood is involved in two cases – one on September 16 last year for allegedly attacking a man and another on February 28 this year for allegedly attacking a group of people.

Moreover, Jood was living in Australia on an expired visa.

He has been charged with offences that carry separate jail terms ranging between two and ten years.