Arrested Pinjra Tod Activist Natasha Narwal Now Booked Under UAPA

The two women were arrested for their alleged rile in Jafrabad sit-in protest on Saturday, 23 May.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@MdHamzaSiddiqi1)

On Friday, 29 May, the Delhi Police special cell arrested Pinjra Tod activist Natasha Narwal under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) under FIR number 59. A police officer who wished to remain anonymous told Hindustan Times that there was enough evidence against Narwal to establish the charges against her, and Devangana Kalita would be booked and arrested depending on how much evidence is gathered against her.

A Delhi court had on Thursday sent the two Pinjra Tod activists – Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal – to judicial custody till 11 June, in connection with the northeast Delhi riots investigation.

“Investigation is pending. Grounds of arrest have been examined. There were sufficient grounds for arrest of the accused persons. Keeping in view the nature of these allegations, accused persons are remanded to judicial custody and be produced on 11.06.2020,” Duty Magistrate Kapil Kumar had written in his order.

Kalita (30) and Narwal (32) were produced before the metropolitan magistrate inside Mandoli jail after being questioned for four days.

The two activists were arrested on 23 May, for their alleged role in Jafarabad sit-in protest and were granted bail the next day. However, within minutes, the two women were arrested again on charges of attempt to murder, rioting, and criminal conspiracy.

The new FIR was filed under Indian Penal Code Section 307 (attempt to murder), Section 120B (criminal conspiracy), offences under Arms Act and Prevention of Destruction of Public Property Act.

The case will next be heard on 11 June.

(With inputs from Hindustan Times)