Rajasthan HC grants bail to Naresh Meena in SDM slapping case
Synopsis
Rajasthan High Court has restored bail to Independent leader Naresh Meena nearly two months after a Tonk special court cancelled it over alleged condition violations. The court found he was not an accused in two of three new cases cited by the prosecution — a finding his lawyers say vindicates their claim of political targeting.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan High Court granted bail to Naresh Meena on 22 September 2026 in the SDM slapping case from the Deoli-Uniara by-election .
Justice Anil Upman imposed conditions: monthly police station reporting and a ban on glorifying his public image.
An earlier bail was cancelled by the Special Court for SC/ST cases in Tonk in July after the prosecution alleged bail violations.
The High Court found Meena was not an accused in two of three new cases cited against him.
The case stems from an alleged slapping of SDM Amit Chaudhary at Samravata village, Tonk on 13 November 2024 , which triggered violence in the area.
Defence counsel argued the cases were politically motivated , a view the court appeared to partly credit in the Jhalawar matter.
Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, once again granted bail to Independent leader Naresh Meena in the case stemming from the alleged slapping of a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) during the Deoli-Uniara Assembly by-election in November 2024. The bail comes months after a lower court revoked an earlier relief over alleged violations.
Key Conditions of the Bail Order
Justice Anil Upman granted Meena conditional bail, directing him to report to the concerned police station during the first week of every month while on bail. The court additionally ordered that Meena must not be involved in any fresh criminal offence during the bail period and explicitly prohibited him from glorifying his public image following his release.
Why the Earlier Bail Was Cancelled
The High Court had previously granted Meena bail in the same case, but the Special Court for SC/ST cases in Tonk cancelled that relief in July after accepting a prosecution application alleging violation of bail conditions. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued, following which Meena surrendered and was remanded to judicial custody. The cancellation proceedings were linked to a case registered at Nagarfort police station, where police alleged Meena had breached bail conditions after being arrested in connection with a protest over the deaths of seven children in a school-related incident in Jhalawar.
What the High Court Found
In its latest order, the court noted that of three cases registered against Meena after his initial bail was granted, he was found not to be an accused in two of them. In the remaining third case, the court observed that Meena had already obtained bail from the High Court and had been regularly marking his presence at the police station — effectively undercutting the prosecution's argument for continued custody.
Defence Argues Political Motivation
Meena's advocates, Rajnish Gupta and Fateh Ram Meena, argued before the court that most cases registered against their client were politically motivated. They specifically referenced the Jhalawar case, submitting that the High Court had itself observed, while granting bail in that matter, that it appeared prima facie to carry a political dimension.
Background: The SDM Slapping Incident
The case originates from an incident on 13 November 2024, when Meena — then an independent candidate contesting the Deoli-Uniara by-election — allegedly slapped SDM Amit Chaudhary at Samravata village in Tonk district. The episode triggered arson and vandalism in Samravata and surrounding areas, after which Meena was arrested in connection with violence-related charges. The case has since become a prolonged legal and political flashpoint in Rajasthan.
With bail now restored, focus will shift to whether Meena complies with the court's conditions and how prosecution authorities respond to the latest ruling.
Point of View
The defence claim of political motivation cuts both ways: the SDM slapping incident was captured on video and sparked real communal tension in Tonk. The core allegation has not gone away, and the legal journey for Meena is far from over.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Naresh Meena granted bail by the Rajasthan High Court?
The Rajasthan High Court granted bail to Naresh Meena on 22 September 2026 after finding that he was not an accused in two of the three new cases cited by the prosecution to justify keeping him in custody. In the third case, the court noted he had already obtained bail and was regularly reporting to the police station.
What is the SDM slapping case involving Naresh Meena?
The case relates to an incident on 13 November 2024, when Meena — then an independent candidate in the Deoli-Uniara Assembly by-election — allegedly slapped SDM Amit Chaudhary at Samravata village in Tonk district, Rajasthan. The episode triggered arson and vandalism in the area, leading to multiple criminal cases against Meena.
Why was Naresh Meena's earlier bail cancelled?
The Special Court for SC/ST cases in Tonk cancelled Meena's earlier bail in July after the prosecution alleged he had violated bail conditions, linked to a fresh arrest in connection with a protest over the deaths of seven children in a school-related incident in Jhalawar. The court issued an arrest warrant, and Meena subsequently surrendered.
What conditions has the High Court imposed on Naresh Meena's bail?
Justice Anil Upman directed Meena to report to the concerned police station during the first week of every month, refrain from any fresh criminal offence during the bail period, and not glorify his public image following his release.
Is the SDM slapping case politically motivated, as claimed by Meena's lawyers?
Meena's advocates Rajnish Gupta and Fateh Ram Meena have argued before the court that most cases against him are politically motivated. In the Jhalawar case, the High Court itself observed prima facie that the matter appeared to have a political dimension — though the core allegation in the SDM slapping case remains under trial.
