Punjab and Haryana High Court granted bail to Navdeep Singh Jalbera, popularly known as the Farmers Movement Water Cannon Boy. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has indicated that Navdeep Singh might have been unfairly accused in several cases.
The Water Cannon Man Navdeep Singh Jalbera rose to fame in November 2020 when he climbed atop a police water cannon during a farmer protest against the now-repeated farm laws. Jalbera reportedly hails from a village near Ambala. In 2020, thousands of farmers staged long-lasting protests at the borders of Tikri and Singhu and marched to Delhi, disrupting heavily guarded police barricades.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has indicated that Navdeep Singh might have been unfairly accused in several cases, a major source of embarrassment for the State of Haryana. This was said as Farm Activism Advocate Sandeep Moudgil was released on bail by Judge.
Navdeep Singh, alongside other farmers, allegedly gathered at the Shambu border in violation of Section 144 of the CrPC. It was claimed they conspired to breach police barricades and assault officers.
Justice Moudgil's bench reviewed Navdeep Singh's request for regular bail regarding an FIR filed on February 13, which included charges of attempt to murder and other offenses under Sections 147, 149, 186, 188, 307, 332, and 352 of the IPC, as well as violations of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and the National Highway Act at Ambala Sadar police station.
Navdeep Singh was involved in about fifteen similar cases, according to Justice Moudgil. Of those six that resulted in his acquittal, three still had open investigations. Based on the similarity of the allegations in all the cases filed in the Ambala district, the court may have drawn erroneous conclusions.
"The consistent registration of cases within the same district suggests the petitioner is being wrongfully accused in these matters. Adhering strictly to bail denial due to pending cases could unjustly deprive the petitioner of his right to bail," stated Justice Moudgil.
The charge sheet was filed on May 20, and the judge underlined once more that the investigation was finished. After more than three months in detention, Navdeep Singh was freed on bond by a lower court alongside one of the other accused. As such, the court could find no reason to refuse the petitioner's request for bail.
Justice Moudgil noted that the trial might go longer because none of the 52 prosecution witnesses had yet been questioned, citing the legal doctrine that a person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Judge Moudgil concluded that detaining the petitioner indefinitely would be against the principle that bail is a rule, jail is an exception, and would violate Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.