Bombay HC Grants Bail to Nine in Nagpur Riots Case

Nagpur, Jun 25 (PTI) The Bombay High Court has granted bail to nine individuals arrested following riots in Nagpur that erupted in March, sparked by calls to remove Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke of the high court's Nagpur bench emphasized the principle that "bail is the rule and jail is the exception," noting the accused no longer needed to remain in custody as the investigation was complete and the chargesheet filed. "Considering the investigation is already completed and chargesheet is already filed, no purpose will be served by keeping applicants behind the bar and the trial will take its own time for its final disposal," she asserted. The bench highlighted that although the alleged crime was against society, the facts could be scrutinized during the trial, not at the bail stage. Thus, the court granted bail to Iqbal Ansari, Ejaz Ansari, Absar Ansari, Izhar Ansari, Ashfaqulla Aminullah, Muzzamil Ansari, Mohammad Rahil, Mohammad Yasir, and Iftekar Ansari on a personal bond of Rs one lakh each. Advocate Mohammad Aadil Sheikh, representing an accused, argued for bail given the probe's completion. On March 17, Nagpur witnessed large-scale stone pelting and arson, triggered by rumors of a 'chadar' with holy inscriptions being burnt during Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) led protests demanding Aurangzeb's tomb's removal from Khultabad town in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Thirty-three police personnel, including three Deputy Commissioners of Police, were injured. In the aftermath, Nagpur police arrested over 123 individuals, including 19 juveniles. The insistence to dismantle Aurangzeb's tomb gained momentum, especially from Hindutva groups, after the February release of "Chhaava," a film depicting Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's life. Sambhaji, successor of the Maratha empire, was captured and executed by Aurangzeb in 1689.

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