Today, On 24th May, The court dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of the AAP Media Coordinator in the journalist assault case, deeming it not maintainable. The plea rejected on grounds of procedural inadequacy. The decision highlights the legal challenges faced by the accused.
New Delhi: The Tis Hazari Court, On Friday, in Delhi dismissed the anticipatory bail application filed by Vikas Kumar Yogi, the media coordinator of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The court ruled that the application, not maintainable, as all the offences mentioned in the First Information Report (FIR) bailable in nature. This case related to an alleged assault on a female journalist and a video journalist at the AAP office located on Rouse Avenue.
On May 24, 2024, Additional Sessions Judge Ram Lal Meena dismissed the anticipatory bail application filed by Vikas Kumar Yogi, represented by Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj. The judge deemed the application as not maintainable, taking into account the response from the Delhi Police and the submissions made by the Public Prosecutor.
It stated that the offences mentioned in the First Information Report (FIR) currently bailable in nature. Yogi moved the anticipatory bail plea, citing a genuine apprehension of arrest in this case.
The police informed the court that all the offences bailable at this stage. They also mentioned that the statement of the female journalist, who is the complainant, yet to be recorded before the court.
Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj argued that the incident in question occurred on May 20, 2024, and it involved a forceful entry and misbehaviour by the female journalist and her cameraman.
It argued that prior to filing the current FIR, Vikas Kumar Yogi lodged a complaint, yet no FIR registered. Instead, an FIR filed against him, of which neither an upload nor a copy was provided to him. Only at the court’s direction a copy of the FIR given to the accused. The Delhi Police responded, stating that custodial interrogation necessary to identify other suspects.
The Court questioned this, saying,
“If the offense is bailable, why is custodial interrogation necessary? Currently, the offenses are bailable; we can’t predict if new sections will be added.”
The Additional Public Prosecutor clarified that it a typographical error.
The defence counsel challenged this, asking,
“How can it be a typographical mistake?”
The court responded,
“If the offenses are bailable, anticipatory bail is not maintainable.”
The court acknowledged the arguments presented and stated,
“All the charges currently qualify for bail. Hence, the application for bail is deemed not appropriate and is hereby dismissed.”
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by Delhi Police, an incident occurred two days ago involving an AAP worker named Vikas Yogi and others. The FIR alleges that a young woman reporter from Times Now News Channel and a video journalist were assaulted, and their camera was broken. The FIR also mentions the use of “derogatory language” and “threats” directed at the two Times Now employees, who were allegedly surrounded by 8-10 people and forcibly removed from the building.