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Court grants regular bail to Yudh Chand Bains; Police remand plea rejected
Shimla, June 6
A court in Shimla on Saturday granted regular bail to Congress leader and social activist Yudh Chand Bains in connection with a case linked to a social media video alleged to have disturbed communal harmony. The order was passed after the court declined the Shimla Police’s request for custodial interrogation.
Bains was produced before the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Rashmi Dogra following his arrest by Shimla Police on Friday. The investigating agency sought police remand, contending that Bains had not been fully cooperating with the investigation and that custodial interrogation was necessary for further inquiry.
During the hearing, the court examined the facts and circumstances presented in the complaint. It noted that the complainant belonged to the Churah area of Chamba district, while Bains is a resident of Mandi district. The court reportedly sought clarification regarding the prosecution’s contention that the alleged incident had the potential to disturb communal harmony in the circumstances outlined.
Also Read Interim bail to YC Bains in defamation case; Police to press remand in another case
Although the prosecution submitted that the complainant was presently residing in Shimla, the court observed that the address mentioned in the complaint was Churah in Chamba district. This observation was considered relevant while assessing the police request for custodial interrogation.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court rejected the police remand application and granted regular bail to Bains.
The case was registered on the basis of a complaint alleging that a video uploaded by Bains on Facebook contained objectionable remarks that could potentially disturb communal harmony and create tension among different communities.
Acting on the complaint, the police registered a case under the relevant provisions of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and subsequently arrested him on Friday.
The bail order marks the latest development in a series of legal proceedings involving Bains. Apart from the present matter, he is also facing a defamation case filed on the complaint of former Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta concerning allegations made by Bains in relation to the Chester Hills matter. He had earlier been granted interim bail in that case.
With the grant of regular bail, Bains has secured relief in the present case, while the investigation is expected to continue in accordance with due legal process.
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