No evidence linking...

Devangana Kalita, and Asif Iqbal Tanha—who were granted bail in June 2021—

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peech, which it had seemed inflammatory, Sibal argued that the address invoked Gandhian principles of nonviolence and referenced the Constitution.

“It is a public speech. I have said nothing about any acts of violence or instigating people,” he said.

The Delhi Police, in a 177-page affidavit filed on October 30, claimed that the accused had deliberately delayed the trial, citing 39 hearings over two years for supplying documents and 50 hearings for framing charges. The High Court had also noted that the defence contributed to the delay.

Countering the claim, Sibal said the delay resulted from administrative reasons. “On 55 dates the judge was on leave, on 26 dates the matter could not be taken up due to paucity of time, and on 59 dates it was deferred due to the unavailability of the Special Public Prosecutor. Procedure is at the heart of liberty” he said.