Rajasthan HC Approves Bail for Naresh Meena in Crowd Incitement Case
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Synopsis
The Rajasthan High Court has granted bail to Naresh Meena, an independent candidate, in a case concerning protest and crowd incitement outside Pramod Jain Bhaya's residence. Despite this, he remains in custody due to prior charges linked to violence in Samravata village.
Key Takeaways
- Naresh Meena receives bail for inciting a crowd.
- Previous bail plea denied for violence in Samravata.
- Another bail hearing scheduled regarding SDM incident.
- Politically motivated allegations claimed by defense.
- Multiple ongoing investigations against Meena.
Jaipur, Feb 18 (NationPress) The Rajasthan High Court has approved bail for Naresh Meena, an independent candidate in the previous year's Assembly bypoll for the Deoli-Uniara constituency. This decision comes in light of charges involving protests and inciting a crowd outside the residence of former Minister Pramod Jain Bhaya.
Justice Sudesh Bansal presided over the bench that granted his bail request. However, despite this bail approval regarding the mob incitement case, Naresh Meena will remain incarcerated as the Rajasthan High Court had previously dismissed his bail plea on February 14 concerning violence in Samravata village.
He was taken into custody related to an incident of slapping an SDM, for which a separate bail hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. During the proceedings, the prosecution referenced an earlier High Court decision denying Naresh Meena’s bail in the Samravata case, contending that he exhibited a criminal disposition and should not be granted bail. The court, however, rejected this claim, asserting that each case is unique with its own circumstances and details.
This case originates from September 2023, when Naresh Meena was accused of orchestrating a protest outside Bhaya’s residence and inciting the crowd. Notably, police did not apprehend him for almost 1.5 years. Following his anticipatory bail request, he was arrested on February 3. Naresh Meena's attorney, Dr Mahesh Sharma, contended that the accusations were politically motivated, relying solely on claims of stirring public unrest.
He also highlighted that numerous others involved in the protest had previously received bail.
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan High Court is poised to review another bail application for Naresh Meena on Tuesday. This particular case pertains to allegations of slapping an SDM during the Deoli-Uniyara elections. Justice Anil Upman’s bench will be addressing this matter.
In addition to these cases, Naresh Meena faces accusations of obstructing the highway and tampering with EVMs, though police have not yet taken him into custody regarding these issues. Several other allegations against him are still under investigation.
Previously, Meena was apprehended after he slapped an SDM during bypolls for the Deoli-Uniyara Assembly seat. When residents of Samravata (Tonk) village opted to boycott the voting process, Independent candidate Meena led a protest alongside the villagers.
During the demonstrations, he accused officials of pressuring citizens to vote. In a moment of heightened tension, he entered the polling booth and slapped SDM Amit Chaudhary. Following this, Naresh Meena continued his sit-in protest. The situation escalated when a disagreement arose over stopping the protesters' vehicles. The police subsequently detained Naresh Meena, leading to uproar among his supporters. Hundreds of protesters surged into the area, forcibly releasing him from police custody. This resulted in a police lathi charge and accusations of stone-pelting by villagers. During the commotion, multiple vehicles were set ablaze in the village.
