Not satisfied with the case, the Punjab and Haryana high courts have dismissed the bail petition filed by Kobad Gandhi, presently lodged in Tihar Jail for allegedly spreading Communist Party of India (Maoists)'s influence in urban areas of Punjab.
Gandhi has been accused of being a member of the banned CPI (Maoist) and also for giving a speech at Punjabi University, Patiala, in 2009, urging people to join the party. It was also alleged that he was head of international and national activities of the outfit and was using the name of Professor Kishore.
Punjab police had registered a case against him under Unlawful Activities Act and sections 419 (for cheating by impersonation) and 420 (for cheating) of IPC on January 23, 2010.
Gandhi contended in the court that when the alleged speech was made in April/ May 2009, the CPI (Maoist) was not banned and the Punjab police registered the case on January 23, 2010. He also said that he had been in custody since September 21, 2009 and the proceedings in the case had been adjourned sine die till the disposal of another case in Delhi.
He also cited that he was 65 years old and was suffering from kidney ailment, arthritis, slip disc and also an eye problem. In his defence, he stated that he had been a journalist and had written two books. He added that he had done his schooling from Doon School, Dehradun, graduation from St Xavier's College, Mumbai, and then he had gone to England for further education.
{{/usCountry}}He also cited that he was 65 years old and was suffering from kidney ailment, arthritis, slip disc and also an eye problem. In his defence, he stated that he had been a journalist and had written two books. He added that he had done his schooling from Doon School, Dehradun, graduation from St Xavier's College, Mumbai, and then he had gone to England for further education.
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