Delhi court grants bail to AAP MLA

Hours after an AAP legislator was remanded in judicial custody, a court here on Saturday granted him bail in a case related to defacement of public property as he "dramatically" furnished a surety bond.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ashu Garg granted bail to Delhi Cantonment's Aam Aadmi Party MLA Surender Singh on a surety bond of Rs 20,000.

In the morning, the legislator had failed to furnish a surety and told the court he was ready to go to jail.

"Since the accused has refused to furnish a bail bond, the court has no other option but to take him into custody," the court said while remanding him in judicial custody till August 17.

The court was irked by his behaviour, including his non-appearance in the case, despite repeated warrants.

The court, on April 17, had issued a bailable warrant after Surender Singh failed to appear. The court also noted that the politician had not filed any application till date regarding cancellation of bail.

Surender Singh was granted bail by the Delhi Police in the instant case till November 20, 2016. Later, the legislator did not apply for extension of bail, the court said.

The AAP leader is accused of putting up posters and hoardings as well as defacing public property in south Delhi in 2014.

The court has listed the matter for November 6 for consideration of framing of charges.

--IANS

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