Sirsa violence: Court says sedition charges against farmers doubtful

Tribune News Service

Hisar, July 24

While granting bail to the five farmers who were nabbed for the alleged attack on the vehicle of Deputy Speaker Ranbir Singh Gangwa in Sirsa on July 11, the sessions judge in Sirsa has termed the sedition charges against farmers as doubtful.

Sessions judge Rajesh Malhotra granted bail to the five farmers namely Balkar Singh, Nikka Singh, Balkaur Singh, Daljit Singh and Sahab Singh yesterday.

The police had registered a case slapping serious charges of sedition and attempt to murder against about 100 farmers under Sections 147, 148, 341, 323, 332, 353, 307, 427, 124-A, 186, 120-B read with Section 149 IPC at the Civil Lines police station in Sirsa on July 11.

The FIR was lodged by duty magistrate Sushil Kumar who was deputed by the district administration at the site near the Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU) on July 11 when the Deputy Speaker was scheduled to attend a training camp of BJP workers in the university.

The farmers organisations had given a call to oppose the BJP’s programme at the CDLU as part of their protest against the ruling BJP to press for the withdrawal of the three agriculture laws enacted by the Centre.

The police nabbed five farmers on July 15. The farmers applied to the court for granting regular bail yesterday. Though the police opposed the bail to the accused, the counsel for the farmers argued that the police had falsely implicated them in the case.

“The case of sedition is not attracted in the present case as there is nothing on record to show that the said incident could have led to overthrow of the state government but Section 124-A IPC has been added to increase the gravity of the alleged offence,” the counsel said, further pointing out that even otherwise Section 124-A IPC is vague and arbitrary.

The sessions judge in the order commented, “After hearing rival contentions, I have given my thoughtful consideration to the same. The commission of offence of sedition under Section 124-A IPC in the present case is doubtful as pointed out by the counsel for the applicants.”

The judge added that hence, as per the facts and circumstances of the present case, applicants are permitted to be enlarged on bail on furnishing their personal bonds for Rs 50,000 each with one surety in the like amount each to the satisfaction of this court.