Raja Singh's bail: What happened inside the Nampally court

Hyderabad: Amidst massive public outrage by the Muslim community in Hyderabad, The 14th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court in Nampally, granted bail to BJP Goshamahal MLA T Raja Singh over his derogatory remarks on prophet Mohammad. The legislator was given a 'don't repeat' warning and asked to submit a personal bond worth Rs 20,000.

The court for communal disturbance witnessed an influx of protestors leading minor lathi charges. Parts of the old city in Hyderabad were on a boil.

How did it all start?

Two days after stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui held his show in Shilpakala Vedika auditorium in Hyderabad. BJP MLA Raja Singh, who earlier threatened to burn down the show venue, uploaded a derogatory video on Shree Ram Youtube Channel.

In the video posted on `Shree Ram Channel Telangana', Raja Singh also abused comedian Munawar Faruqui and his mother two days after his show in Hyderabad. He even made comments very similar to the ones made by BJP leader Nupur Sharma, which had evoked condemnation from Muslim countries.

The video soon caught the public eye resulting in massive protests in Dabeerpura, Humayan Nagar, Charminar, and Hyderabad Commissioner's office at Basheerbagh. The protestors started tricking in as early as 2 AM on 23rd August. The office of the Deputy Commissioner of police - south zone was surrounded by protestors, the mob demanded his arrest and suspension from the legislative assembly. AIMIM corporators protested in front of the Chandrayangutta police station demanding Raja Singh's arrest.

Hours into the protest, the west zone police of Hyderabad commissionerate arrested MLA Raja Singh. According to the Dabeerpura Inspector, a case was registered against Raja Singh under section 153 A, 295 A, 505, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

What unfolded inside the Communal disturbance court.

Hours after his arrest, the MLA wearing a red kurti, was produced before the 14th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Nampally. The court had a blanket cover of Security. However the protestors had their way, forcing the cops to resort to minor lathi charge. Slogan of 'send him to jail' echoed at the court. A barricade of 100 meters around the court was put in force.

Amidst public outcry, the court heard the arguments of both sides. The judge opined that unless 41A CrPC notice was issued, police cannot arrest and reject the remand of Raja Singh. Further, the court opined that the remand procedure by the police was not proper, and the police do not comply with the condition of 41 CrPC.

The court rejected Raja Singh's remand and directed the police to release Raja Singh immediately. However, I let him off with a 'don't repeat' warning. The 14 ACMM court returned the remand of MLA Raja Singh and ordered to release him forthwith, with a surety of Rs 20,000/. Raja Singh went home amidst heavy security. Cops in two buses accompanied the vehicle in which singh was travelling. Even then, many places in and around Charminar witnessed a bandh-like situation. Black flags were placed at the junctions, the entire chudi bazaar was shut as a mark of protest.

BJP's decision to suspend Raja Singh came as a shock to karyakartas.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday suspended its Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh for making derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad.

"You have expressed views contrary to the party's position on various matters, which is in clear violation of rule 25.10(a) of the constitution of the Bharatiya Janata Party. I have been directed to convey to you that pending further inquiry, you are suspended from the party and your responsibilities or assignments if any, with immediate effect," read the letter signed by Om Pathak, the secretary of BJP's central disciplinary committee. The committee also directed Raja Singh to show cause within 10 days why he should not be expelled from the party.

Raja Singh's supporters were shocked with the suspension notice. Speaking to NewsMeter Neelam Bhargav- BJP IT cell said "Initially I thought it was a fake notice, but then when it was shared by many news organizations, I had to believe it. None of the karyakartas were informed about this, it came as a rude shock. However we are happy that he has been granted bail' he said.

Raja Singh 'habitual offender' - Congress

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Minorities Dept Chairman Shaik Abdullah Sohail blamed the TRS party for the bail granted to Raja Singh.

Sohail says, " Raja Singh has been trying to incite communal violence in Hyderabad by spreading hatred through his provocative statements. He used occasions like Ram Navmi or Hanuman Jayanthi to deliver venomous statements against the Muslim community".

He pointed out that nearly 75 criminal cases were pending against Raja Singh in various police stations. They include 30 cases of hurting religious sentiments and two cases of inciting enmity between two communities. As many as 17 cases are related to riots and possession of weapons. One case of an attempt to murder is also pending against Raja Singh. He said Raja Singh, in his affidavit filed in the 2018 Assembly elections, informed about 43 criminal cases pending against him.

In the Old City, there are meetings being held due to the bail granted to Raja Singh as sentiments are running high .