NEW DELHI: Jammu & Kashmir People’s Movement party functionary
Shehla Rashid
was given
interim protection
from
arrest
till
November 5
in a
sedition case
filed by Delhi Police over her
tweets.
Additional Sessions Judge Pawan Kumar Jain granted relief to Rashid and directed her to join the investigation as and when called by the investigating officer. “Considering all the facts, I am of the view that the matter requires a detailed investigation. Accordingly, renotify the matter on November 5. Till then, the accused shall not be arrested,” the judge noted.
Rashid’s counsel, Satish Tamta, argued that his client had shared some information on Twitter on August 17, 2019, over the situation in Jammu & Kashmir. On the basis of her comments, an advocate filed a complaint for offences of sedition, promoting enmity, among others, the court was informed.
Tamta submitted that his client was ready to join the investigation and cooperate with the police. The prosecutor, on the other hand, said the police hadn’t even issued any notice to the accused. He also submitted that the police hadn’t received any complaint from the Indian Army and sought six weeks to investigate the complaint.
Delhi Police’s anti-terror unit has booked Rashid for sedition in connection with her tweets allegedly spreading fake news about the situation in the Kashmir valley.
Rashid has described the case against her as “frivolous”, “politically motivated” and a “pathetic attempt” to silence her for speaking out on the clampdown in Kashmir.