New Delhi: Freelance journalist Mandeep Poonia who was arrested by Delhi Police from the Singhu border on January 30, has been given bail by a Delhi Court today. ALSO READ | Rahul Gandhi Quotes Martin Luther King To Take 'Barbed-Dig' At Centre Over Barricading At Farmers' Protest Site
Delhi Police had arrested freelance journalist Mandeep Poonia on the accusation of misbehaving with police personnel and obstructing a public servant from discharging duties at the Singhu border, where violence erupted because of an attack by people claiming to be locals on Friday. Poonia was arrested on Saturday night.
An FIR under the IPC section 186 (obstructing public servant in the discharge of public functions) and section 353 (assaulting a public servant in the execution of duty) has been filed against Poonia at Alipur police station.
Today he has been granted bail by Rohini Court after the first hearing that happened on Sunday.
"The complainant, victims and witnesses are police personnel only. Hence, there is no possibility that accused/applicant can be able to influence any of the police officials," the bail order reads.
It is well settled legal principle of law that "bail is a rule and jail is an exception", it adds stating that he is admitted to bail on furnishing bail bond in a sum of Rs 25,000.
The arrest happened after Poonia made a video over the happenings of Singhu Border violence and hence, the police action was being questioned by a section of people including his peers and politicians.
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted a video of his arrest and wrote, "Those who are scared of truth arrest, true journalists".