Remarks against N-E students: Court grants anticipatory bail

A man, accused of using derogatory words against some students from the north-east, has been granted anticipatory bail by a court here which observed that although such incidents are on a rise in Delhi, every case has to be dealt with as per its facts.
"No doubt the incidents of violence against north east people are on rise in Delhi but every case has to be dealt with as per its own factual matrix," Additional Sessions Judge Rajnish Bhatnagar said while allowing the anticipatory bail plea of Pawan Gupta, an accused in the case along with his two sons.
The court also observed there was no specific allegation that Delhi-based Gupta had passed any "castiest word" against the complainant in full public view here on May 21, this year.

According to the police, the alleged victims had gone to their friend's place in Mukherjee Nagar area here on the day of incident and the accused and his two sons purportedly started calling them in an derogatory manner.
It alleged the accused had also restrained the victims and threatened them after which a mob gathered there and assaulted these students. The accused also passed derogatory remarks against them, the police claimed.
An FIR was lodged against Gupta and his two sons under various provisions of IPC, including sections 341 (wrongfully restraining any person), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) along with the provision of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

During the arguments on the bail plea, Gupta's counsel had denied the allegations levelled against his client contending that on the date of incident, the complainant and his friends had come in a drunken condition and had created a scene after which they were beaten up by the mob for their conduct.
The court allowed Gupta's plea seeking anticipatory bail and ordered that in the event of his arrest he be released on bail on furnishing personal bond of Rs 25,000 with one surety of the like amount.