Honeypreet Insan's anticipatory bail plea rejected: Delhi HC asks Dera chief's key aide to surrender

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of Honeypreet Insan, the “adopted daughter” of the now jailed Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Honeypreet's anticipatory bail plea dismissed; Court in its order observed applicant is just seeking more time by moving such an application

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2017

“The plea is without merit. Honeypreet has been evading arrest in Haryana,” ruled Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal on the plea moved earlier in the day by Honeypreet, who apprehended a threat to her life in Haryana, IANS reported. Her advocate Pradeep Kumar Arya told the bench that she is willing to join investigation but wants protection from arrest.

Delhi HC stated the jurisdiction of Delhi does not lie here, and she does not deserve bail because she is evading arrest: Prosecution lawyer pic.twitter.com/uvortgu3JQ

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2017

Court said this is time pass;she filed application before Delhi HC whereas she should have done that in Punjab&Haryana HC:Prosecution lawyer pic.twitter.com/R7bK2eSgN0

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2017

Earlier, the high court in the morning had reserved its order on the transit anticipatory bail plea of Honeypreet, saying the “easiest way out” for her would be to surrender.

Justice Sehgal, after hearing arguments on behalf of Honeypreet and the police of Delhi and Haryana, had said that she would pass an order later in the day.

“The easiest way out for you would be to surrender,” the court had observed.

Honeypreet has been on the run since the conviction of Ram Rahim in two rape cases. She is facing a case of sedition for allegedly inciting violence in Haryana after the Dera chief’s conviction.

Transit anticipatory bail plea is meant to seek protection against arrest during transit. In this case, Honeypreet is seeking bail for her transit from Delhi to Haryana to join investigation in the sedition case.

During the hearing, the Haryana Police opposed the filing of her plea in the Delhi High Court, saying it was “a ploy to do ‘forum shopping’”.

Delhi Police also alleged that Honeypreet should have approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, rather moving the high court in Delhi.

The police of Delhi and Haryana opposed her plea for anticipatory bail for three weeks on the ground that the court of competent jurisdiction would be in Haryana.

The lawyer for Honeypreet contended that her life was in danger in Haryana and that is why she has moved Delhi High Court seeking protection from arrest till she moves a court in the neighbouring state.

The lawyer said that she will join the probe if she is protected.

With inputs from agencies