A Delhi court has permitted former Congress councillor and lawyer Ishrat Jahan, an accused in the Delhi Riots case, to practice law outside the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCTD).
Ishrat Jahan was arrested in March 2020 in connection with a Delhi riots case for the alleged commission of offences under the Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
A Special Court granted her bail on March 14, 2022 on the condition that she shall not leave the jurisdiction of NCR without prior permission of the court.
She challenged this order before Special Judge Sameer Bajpai on the grounds that the condition restricted her from practicing outside the jurisdiction of NCT of Delhi.
The Counsel appearing for the accused submitted that Jahan, a practicing advocate enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi, was keen on taking her law practice beyond NCR.
He contended that Jahan had not breached any of the bail conditions and that she always complied with the orders of the court.
The Special Prosecutor opposed the plea on the grounds that Jahan already had reasonable liberty and considering her prior conduct, she should not be granted any further relief.
The court observed that since the grant of bail, the investigating agency or the prosecution has not brought any fact to the notice of the court that the applicant has breached any condition of bail.
Modifying the bail condition, the Court directed Jahan to neither leave the territory of India without prior permission of the Court nor indulge in any kind of criminal activity.
The appellant was represented by Advocates Aadil Singh Boparai and Srishti Khanna.
Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad, along with Advocates Chanya Jaitley and Ninaz Baldawala, appeared for the State.