Safoora Zargar denied bail as judge finds 'no merit' in plea

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday denied bail to Jamia Millia Islamia scholar Safoora Zargar, saying it found "no merits" in her application.

Zargar is a 27-year-old MPhil student of Jamia Milia Islamia who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail for participating in the anti-CAA protest on campus. She was arrested by the special cell on March 10, in connection with FIR 59, which is related to the Delhi riots conspiracy.

It was argued in court that Zargar has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOD) which could, therefore, increase chances of miscarriage. The court, however, denied the plea. The hearing lasted from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm at the Patiala court under additional sessions judge (ASJ) Dharmender Rana.

While dismissing the plea filed by Zargar, the judge said, "I do not find merits in the bail application, it is accordingly dismissed."

The court, however, directed the jail officials to provide adequate medical aid and assistance to Zargar, who is pregnant.

Opposing her bail application, the Special Cell submitted before the court that she had allegedly made inflammatory speeches and was part of a conspiracy to instigate communal violence, which had been planned weeks ago.

The police told the court that the accused persons were part of the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in various parts of the national capital.

"In mid February, the accused had allegedly planned to hold protests in various parts of northeast Delhi. They had also blocked road near the Jafrabad Metro station," the police said.

The case relates to organising anti-CAA protests in the Jaffrabad area, where majority of the participants were women.

Ms Zargar is among a number of Muslim students and activists who have been jailed since India's lockdown began on 25 March.