Haryana youngster accused of assault on Sikhs in Australia denied bail

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 2

An Australian court has refused bail to Indian national Vishal Jood, whose release was sought by Haryana Chief Minister M L Khattar as well as Delhi BJP leader Kapil Mishra, Olympian Yogeshwar Dutt and Delhi BJP spokesperson Tejinder Bagga.

The hearing on Jood’s case was postponed after the defence sought more time to prepare due to the ‘complexity’ of the case. This means that Jood will remain in prison till August 12, the next date of hearing.

The issue has created ripples in Jood’s home state of Haryana where a social media campaign for his release has claimed that he was only trying to protect the Indian flag from being dishonoured by ‘Khalistanis’.

At the time of his arrest, Jood was alleged to be living in Australia under an expired visa.

Jood has been charged with three counts of affray, three counts of armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, two counts of destroying or damaging property, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in the company of other(s).

These offences carry separate jail terms ranging between two and ten years.

Indian diplomats had met Jood in prison on June 17 but it is not known what transpired between them.