Journalist charged in espionage case
On Friday, the Delhi High Court granted bail to Rajeev Sharma who works as freelance journalist. He is allegedly charged of espionage under the Official Secret Act in a case registered by Delhi Police’s Special Cell.
“The petitioner is directed to provide his contact number/ address to the SHO concerned as also he shall keep open his location app in his mobile at all time and shall not leave the NCR of Delhi without seeking permission of the learned Trial Court,” said Justice Yogesh Khanna in an order.
Sharma was arrested on September 14 after accusations of having links with Chinese intelligence officers and having received funds from “foreign handlers” for allegedly conveying sensitive information pertaining to national security and foreign relations. Later, a Chinese and a Nepalese national were also arrested by the police.
Under the Official Secret Acts for which the petitioner is being tried, though entail punishment which may extend to 14 years but the Section does not talk of minimum period of sentence and thus does not pass the test of clear period of 10 years or more... and as such the period of Challan in this case would be 60 days and thus the petition is allowed,” it said in the order.
Earlier, Sharma had moved a petition under Section 167(2) before the lower court pleading that he be released on default bail since 60 days allowed to the investigating agency for completion of investigation have ended but the chargesheet has not been filed. His plea was dismissed on November 16. But as on Friday, the High Court entitled Sharma to default bail since the Challan has not been filed within 60 days.
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