On Tuesday, Congress leader Pawan Khera was released on interim bail after a Delhi court granted him relief in a case related to the alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Khera, who is the national spokesperson of the Congress, was arrested by the Delhi Police on Monday for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He was produced before a Delhi court on Tuesday, where he was granted interim bail.
The court directed Khera to furnish a personal bond of Rs. 10,000 and a surety of the same amount. The court also directed him to not leave the country without prior permission.
Khera was arrested after the Delhi Police received a complaint from the Election Commission of India (ECI) alleging that he had violated the Model Code of Conduct during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The complaint alleged that Khera had made inflammatory speeches and had used derogatory language against the Prime Minister and other political leaders.
The police had registered a case against Khera under Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) and 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc.) of the Indian Penal Code.
Khera had denied the allegations and had said that he was being targeted for speaking out against the government. He had also said that he was being targeted for his political views.
Khera’s arrest had sparked outrage among the opposition parties, who had accused the government of using the police to target its political opponents. The Congress had also accused the government of using the police to suppress dissent.
Khera’s release on interim bail is being seen as a victory for the opposition parties, who had been demanding his release. The opposition parties have also demanded that the case against Khera be dropped.