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Chandigarh, Nov 6 (IANS) The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted bail to a man accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after spending more than five years in custody. The case was investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The High Court found that no incriminating material was found against accused Jagwinder Singh. It also said that he has been in custody for more than five years, but there is no end to the trial in sight.
A division bench of Justices Deepak Sibal and Justice Lupita Banerjee said, “The allegation against the appellant was that he had watched a video of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and taught his cousin Inderjit Singh (key accused) to support the formation of a separate Khalistan state and aid/instigate in hoisting the Khalistan flag on the top floor of the DC office.”
“Except a phone call a day before the commission of the crime… nothing else has been brought on record,” the bench said.
The court further held that no evidence was produced to corroborate the alleged radicalization and indoctrination of youth by the accused-appellant. It was also noted that nothing was recovered from him except his mobile phone.
“In the present case, no meaningful material has been brought on record by the prosecution at this stage to show mutual consent or criminal conspiracy,” the judges said.
According to details of the case, in August 2020, two people had entered the administrative premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Moga. They reportedly went to the upper floor and hoisted a saffron/yellow flag with “Khalistan” written on it on an iron pole already installed there.
It was further alleged that the accused had removed the Indian National Flag from the ground floor by cutting its rope.
The trial court had refused to grant bail to Jagwinder Singh in June 2024, due to which an appeal was filed before the High Court.
A case under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, UAPA and other special laws was initially registered by the Punjab Police.
–IANS
VG/PGH