High Court to hear Hema Chowdhary’s appeal for bail on September 5

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Sep. 3 (EMN): Following her arrest in Mumbai on July 17, and after almost two months under judicial custody here in Nagaland, animal rights activist Hema Chowdhary’s appeal for bail has been listed to be heard in two days.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, an attorney defending Chowdhary informed that on September 2, the High Court judge in Kohima decided to grant a hearing of bail in three days.

“Yesterday (September 2) was the motion and the judge gave three days for hearing of bail at High Court; she is under judicial custody at the moment,” the attorney informed.

However, the attorney pointed that the hearing is likely to take place on Monday (September 7), as Saturday is a non-working day.

“They may summon us for a hearing on Saturday or Monday, accordingly we will attend the hearing whenever required,” said the attorney.

Further, the attorney informed that if the court decides to grant her bail, the judge would also rule whether it should be in the form of cash bail or surety bail.

Further, a reliable source also informed this newspaper that Chowdhary’s health was not in the best condition as she is also suffering from diabetes.

“She has a certificate to prove she is diabetic; the jail authorities are in charge of her food and medicines,” the source said.

It may be mentioned that Chowdhary had posted a videos on YouTube and Facebook on July 4, in which she has been alleged to have “made derogatory statements against the Nagas conducing to public mischief and also promoting enmity between different groups of people, which is pre-judicial to maintenance of harmony”.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kohima, had issued a non-bailable warrant of arrest against Chowdhary. Subsequently, a Nagaland Police team was sent to Mumbai on July 15 and arrested her in coordination with the Mumbai Police on July 17. She was finally brought to Kohima on July 20.