AAP MLA Tripathi granted bail, says have learnt ‘lesson’ in jail

Metropolitan Magistrate Kapil Kumar, who had on Thursday 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.

AAP MLA Akhilesh Tripathi on Friday 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.

The court, however, noted in its order that Akhilesh Tripathi has flouted its orders many times and despite several warnings he took it lightly. (HT Photo)

Metropolitan magistrate Kapil Kumar, who had on Thursday sent Tripathi to judicial custody for two days for defying the warrants issued against him, 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,” the court said.

It added, “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.”

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 non­appearance, 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 on Thursday evening after he was sent to judicial custody for two days.