Uttar Pradesh Court Grants Bail To Activist Sadaf Jafar And Others

An Uttar Pradesh court has granted bail to teacher-actor-activist Sadaf Jafar, retired IPS officer SR Darapuri, Pawan Rao Ambedkar and several others. Detained on December 19, 2019, in Lucknow following the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests, the activists have spent near to 15 days in prison during severe cold conditions.

Confirming the report, Sadaf’s sister Naheed Verma, who has been pivotal in taking forward the legal battle, stated, “We are very grateful to all the well-wishers because of whom she could get bail.”

Also Read: “Don’t Divide Us” Women, Trans, Queer Citizens March Against CAA

The sessions court initially denied Sadaf’s bail. Her imprisonment and confinement caused public outrage among social activists, Twitterati and celebrities. On Thursday, thousands of people used Twitter to get the # FreeSadaf trending. Various film stars including Sushant Singh Rajput, Mahesh Bhatt, Swara Bhaskar and others also supported Sadaf’s release.

Sadaf’s case draws attention to the treatment being meted out to activists and protesters jailed after the anti-CAA protests in Uttar Pradesh. Sadaf was restrained on December 19 and allegedly ruthlessly beaten under police custody, which made her bleed internally.

Inhuman treatment to protestors arrested

Sadaf’s case draws attention to the treatment being meted out to activists and protesters jailed after the anti-CAA protests in Uttar Pradesh. Sadaf was restrained on December 19 and allegedly ruthlessly beaten under police custody, which made her bleed internally. Activist Robin Verma, also from Rihai Manch, had reportedly been battered in Hazratganj police station.

Apart from Sadaf, Rihai Manch president Mohammad Shoaib, ex IPS officer SR Darapuri, Magsaysay award winner Sandeep Pandey were originally placed under preventive detention. Darapuri and Shoaib were apprehended later under multiple sections of the IPC and other Acts.

An appeal was filed on behalf of Sadaf demanding to quash all the cases against her. The Allahabad High Court sent a notice on Thursday in which it solicited the government’s reply within two weeks on Sadaf’s arrest. The petition challenged her arrest was unlawful. Harjot Singh, Sadaf’s lawyer, said that they have also directed an inquiry “not below the rank of superintendent of police under the judicial scrutiny over the charges slapped against her.”

Priyanka Gandhi addressing Sadaf's arrest

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, addressing on Sadaf’s arrest, earlier stated that the UP government had “crossed all limits of inhumanity.” Priyanka after meeting Sadaf’s children and family, said, “The police have put Sadaf in prison by presenting false allegations.”

An appeal was filed on behalf of Sadaf demanding to quash all the cases against her. The Allahabad High Court sent a notice on Thursday in which it solicited the government’s reply within two weeks on Sadaf’s arrest.

More than 100 were jailed after the December protests. Sadaf was shooting videos of demonstrators at the time of her arrest. Previously, a report by the SHO of Hazratganj Police Station stated that Sadaf was held along with “violent protesters.” “We have sufficient video evidence of her involvement in the protest on December 19. She can appeal against her arrest in court," he stated. Her sister had told that Sadaf is not guilty. And that she should be freed soon as she is a single mother.

Also Read: Sadaf Jafar : Only Woman Arrested in Lucknow Anti-CAA Protest

Image: Congress/Twitter

Saumya Rastogi is an intern with SheThePeople.TV