The Delhi High Court has granted bail to a Nepalese national, Sher Singh, who was detained in an espionage case for allegedly leaking critical information to Chinese intelligence agents. The petitioner was not named in the FIR or found to have any confidential documents on him.
Justice Vikas Mahajan noted that it would be useless to keep Singh in custody and granted him bail with conditions. The investigation in the matter is over, and the allegations and defence will be put to the test during the trial, according to the judge.
Singh has been detained since September 19, 2020, while the other co-accused, who are the prime accused, have been freed on default bail.
The police had opposed the petitioner’s request for bail on the grounds that the offences affect the sovereignty and integrity of the country and that he poses a flight risk because he is a citizen of Nepal.
However, the court observed that no useful purpose would be served in keeping Singh behind bars since the investigation is complete, and no further recovery has to be made from him. The court directed Singh to furnish a personal bond of Rs 10,000 with one surety of the like amount. The court also ordered him to turn in his passport and not leave the city without its prior permission.
Singh has been granted bail, but the court has ensured that he will not pose a risk to the sovereignty and integrity of the country. The court has also made it clear that the trial will be the determining factor in deciding whether the allegations against Singh are true.
