Free Kashmir row: Bail granted to Nalini Balakumar

Mysuru, 28 Jan 2020 [Fik/News Sources]: Mysuru sessions court on Monday, January 27 granted conditional anticipatory bail to Nalini Balakumar who is booked under sedition charges for displaying ‘Free Kashmir’ placard during a protest at the University of Mysore. Other accused Maridevaiah was also granted bail.

Second Additional District and Sessions Court judge Jerald Rudolph Mendonca granted bail to Nalini and Maridevaiah under eight conditions. The court ordered to release them on bail on executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs 50,000 each with a surety.

“The petitioners shall surrender before the jurisdictional court within a period of one month and furnish the bail and surety as per the order. The petitioners shall not tamper the prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly,” the order read.

Nalini is entitled to anticipatory bail in the case as at this stage there were no materials to show that she has any criminal antecedents or connection with banned outfits. She has immediately accepted that it is she who has shown the placard and explained her stand. She is a young woman and a student and she has been co-operating with the investigation,” stated the court order.

Protests were held at Mysuru university to condemn the attack on JNU students. Nalini was holding a placard with Free Kashmir remark to draw notice to the internet shutdown in the valley. The Police had registered suo motu case in connection with displaying the placard during the protest.

In a video released late Nalini apologised for the placard stating that she had no intention of creating any confusion.