Court Acquits AAP MP Swati Maliwal and Others in 2011 Protest Case
The Rouse Avenue court in New Delhi has acquitted Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal and others involved in the 2011 Anna Andolan protest. The protest was against the government and in support of the Lokpal Bill. The court gave the accused the benefit of the doubt, stating that the prosecution failed to prove their presence at the protest site.
Details of the Case
An FIR was filed against Swati Maliwal, Arvind Gaur, and Neeraj Kumar Pandey at Connaught Place Police Station in 2011 for allegedly violating prohibitory orders. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Divya Malhotra acquitted them of the charges.
Prosecution’s Allegations
The prosecution claimed that on November 29, 2011, the accused led a group of 100-125 people in Connaught Place, New Delhi, raising slogans despite a prohibitory order under Section 144 of the CrPC. This protest allegedly caused a traffic jam, and the accused were charged under Section 188 of the IPC.
Court’s Findings
The court noted that the prosecution failed to demonstrate that the prohibitory order was properly communicated and that the accused were aware of it. Witnesses, including public witness Durga Nand Jha, admitted that the directions were not followed. The court found the police testimonies unreliable and stated that the prosecution did not provide evidence of the accused’s presence at the protest.
Despite police witnesses identifying the accused as protest leaders, none were arrested at the scene. Investigation Officer ASI Pramod Kumar and HC Tara Chand confirmed that the accused were not found at the protest site after the FIR was registered.
Doubts Revealed
AAP -: AAP stands for Aam Aadmi Party, which is a political party in India. It was founded in 2012 and is known for its focus on anti-corruption and good governance.
MP -: MP stands for Member of Parliament. In India, an MP is a person who has been elected to represent the people of a particular area in the Parliament.
Swati Maliwal -: Swati Maliwal is a politician and a member of the Aam Aadmi Party. She is known for her work in social activism and women’s rights.
Anna Andolan -: Anna Andolan refers to a movement led by social activist Anna Hazare in 2011. It was a protest against corruption in India and aimed to bring about a strong anti-corruption law.
Rouse Avenue court -: Rouse Avenue court is a court located in New Delhi, India. It handles various legal cases, including those related to corruption and other serious offenses.
Connaught Place -: Connaught Place is a famous commercial and financial hub in New Delhi, India. It is known for its shopping areas, restaurants, and historical significance.
Prohibitory orders -: Prohibitory orders are legal restrictions imposed by authorities to prevent gatherings or protests in certain areas. They are often used to maintain public order and safety.
