Toolkit case: ‘Some reporting was sensational,’ says Delhi High Court

Delhi HC says some media reports on toolkit probe were ‘prejudicial’, but declines to order their removal; a court sends Disha Ravi to 3-day judicial custody

Toolkit case: ‘Some reporting was sensational,’ says Delhi High Court

Police officers escort toolkit case accused Disha Ravi (centre) to a local court in New Delhi on Friday. Pic/AFP

The Delhi High Court on Friday once again directed certain news channels and police to ensure details of investigation into the toolkit case is not leaked, while observing that certain media coverage so far indicates “sensationalism and prejudicial reporting”. Later in the day, a court remanded Disha Ravi in judicial custody for three days.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Akash Jain sent Ravi, 21, to jail after Delhi police produced her before the court on expiry of her five-day custodial interrogation.

Delhi police arrested climate activist Ravi from Bangalore on February 13 for allegedly being involved in sharing a “toolkit” on social media related to the farmers’ protest.

Police said her custodial interrogation was not required for the time being and the agency may seek her further interrogation once her co-accused — Shantanu Mukul and Nikita Jacob — join the interrogation. They added that Ravi was evasive during her previous interrogation and tried to shift blame on the co-accused.

Mukul and Jacob have been asked to appear before the investigating agency on February 22, the agency told the court.

The defence lawyer opposed the police plea and urged the court to release Ravi. He added that there was an apprehension of tampering of the evidence by police as the “case diary is not properly made... and in volume form. There’s no ground to keep her in any custody, police custody or judicial custody. I (Ravi) ought to be released right now”.

The court was also informed that the accused has moved a bail application which will come up for hearing on Saturday. Last Sunday the court had sent Ravi to five-day police custody after police said her custodial interrogation was required to probe an alleged larger conspiracy against the government of India and to ascertain her alleged role relating to the Khalistan movement.

Feb 22
Day two other accused are to appear before Delhi police

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