Bengaluru: The arrest of a 21-year-old environmental activist Disha Ravi from Bengaluru over the sharing of a 'toolkit' has raked up a storm in the political circles. Disha has been sent to 5 days remand after being produced in court. However, the legal fraternity has raised questions on the remand of the climate activist in the toolkit case.
Senior lawyer, Rebbeca John said that though the police were vested with the powers of arrest in the case, they perhaps exercised it prematurely.
The Delhi Police did not obtain a transit remand before producing Disha in court which Rebecca John believes is an 'act of impropriety' on the part of the police.
"In December 2019, a division bench of the Delhi High Court had said that when you are arresting people outside your jurisdiction, you must, as far as possible, obtain transit remand unless there are compelling reasons not to do so.”
Disha's lawyer was not able to reach the court on time as the police had not informed the person prior as to which court and what time she will be produced.
"Disha had a counsel of choice but because you produced her on a Sunday where the normal rules of production don't apply and because you did not inform the lawyer of choice at the time of production, he was not available to oppose the police's request for police remand,” said lawyer Rebecca John on Disha's legal representative being unable to oppose the police request for her remand.
Non-bailable warrants have been issued against two other accused in the tool kit case. Nikita Jacob and Shantanu have been accused of sharing the tool kit that has allegedly prepared after being in touch with pro-Khalistan elements.
Also Read: Toolkit investigations: Climate activist Disha Ravi from Bengaluru arrested by Delhi Police
