New Delhi: AAP MLA Akhilesh Tripathi today told a Delhi court that he has learnt "sufficient lesson" by remaining in jail for a day and assured it that he would not misuse the liberty of bail and cooperate in the proceedings in a case of rioting and criminal intimidation.
Metropolitan Magistrate Kapil Kumar, who had yesterday sent Tripathi to judicial custody for two days for defying the warrants issued against him, today granted him bail observing that the legislator has undertaken that he would not misuse the liberty of bail again.
The court, however, noted in its order that Tripathi has flouted its orders many times and despite several warnings he took it lightly.
"It is clear from the record that accused Akhilesh Tripathi flouted the orders of this court many times and despite several warnings, he took the orders of court lightly.
"However, considering the fact that the accused is a public servant, as he is a siting MLA, and the counsel for accused has given the undertaking that now onwards Tripathi will not misuse the liberty given to him and will cooperate with the court in concluding the trial expeditiously by coming on each and every date on time, the accused is admitted to bail on furnishing fresh personal bond of Rs 10,000 and one surety of like amount," the court said.
During the arguments on bail plea, Tripathi's counsel claimed that his client was falsely implicated in the case and "has learnt sufficient lesson in last 24 hours by remaining in jail".
He said the legislator would appear in the court on every hearing and assured that he will cooperate in completion of the trial expeditiously.
His bail plea, however, was opposed by the prosecutor who said the MLA has no regards to the court's orders and also to the directions of Supreme court about expediting the case.
He argued that since inception of the trial, the accused has delayed the proceedings and due to his non¬appearance, a public witness has been discharged twice by the court which resulted in wastage of court's time.
Tripathi, an MLA from Model Town constituency, had moved the bail application last evening after he was sent to judicial custody for two days.
The court had on November 23 issued non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Tripathi for his non-appearance.
In 2013, an FIR was registered against Tripathi, Rahul Kumar, Vikas Mandal, Inder Vikram Singh and Kanhaiya Kumar Jha for alleged offences under Sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 323 (causing simple hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.
According to police, a case was lodged against Tripathi and four other accused on March 9, 2013 following allegations that on March 8, 2013, they along with other AAP supporters had gathered at G T Karnal Road near Lal Bagh Azadpur and entered into a quarrel with complainant Bittu Jha.
The FIR registered at Adarsh Nagar Police Station in'north-west Delhi said that during the altercation, the accused allegedly assaulted the complainant in which he sustained injuries.
