Labour activist Nodeep Kaur granted bail by Punjab and Haryana HC; hearing in Shiv Kumar’s case on March 16

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday granted bail to Dalit labour activist Nodeep Kaur who was arrested by the police on January 12 amid the farmers' protests.

Kaur was earlier reportedly granted bail in two cases lodged against her alleging extortion. However, she continued to remain in jail in view of her arrest under a third case alleging offences under Section 307 (attempt to murder), Section 146 (rioting), and Section 353 (assault to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty) of the Indian Penal Code.

With the High Court granting bail in this third case today, Kaur can now be released from jail.

The order was pronounced by Justice Avneesh Jinghan who had called for all of Kaur's medical reports earlier this week.

In the hearing today, he sought to examine whether the allegations of Kaur being tortured in custody were true, Bar & Bench reported.

Bail was granted upon a prima facie observation that there was nothing to substantiate the allegations of attempt to murder levelled against Kaur, among other reasons.

On January 12, Kaur was protesting in the Kundli industrial area with twenty others, demanding wages. Clashes with the police ensued thereafter.

The High Court had also registered a suo motu case following complaints over her "illegal confinement".

The court is also hearing a petition moved by the father of Shiv Kumar, who was arrested days after Kaur was arrested. Kumar's father has alleged that Kumar was tortured while in custody. On Wednesday, Justice Jhingan called for all of Kumar's medical reports to assess these allegations of torture. Kumar's case will be heard next on March 16.