Toolkit Case Accused Disha Ravi Challenges Travel Restriction, Seeks Modification Of Bail Condition Before Delhi High Court

Disha Ravi, a climate activist, is currently facing prosecution for her alleged involvement in sharing a toolkit supporting the farmers' protest in 2021.

On 21 August, she appealed to the Delhi High Court to modify a bail condition that required her to seek prior permission from the trial court before traveling abroad.

The plea was presented before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who listened to arguments from both Ravi's counsel and the police. The judge stated that an order would be issued at 4 pm.

Ravi was arrested by the Delhi Police on 13 February 2021, for her alleged participation in sharing a toolkit on social media related to the ongoing farmers' protest against the government's three farm laws. She was granted bail by a trial court on 23 February 2021.

As part of her bail conditions, the trial court imposed several requirements on Ravi, including the need for prior court permission before leaving the country.

Ravi has filed a plea before the High Court requesting a modification of the bail condition that requires her to obtain prior permission from the trial court in order to travel abroad.

In her plea, Ravi's counsel argued that the condition should be modified so that she only needs to inform the trial court before traveling abroad.

According to Ravi's counsel, she frequently needs to travel abroad at short notice. Despite the bail order and the issuance of an LOC against her, she has already traveled abroad three times. The requirement of obtaining prior permission from the trial court is causing inconvenience to Ravi. Her counsel emphasised that she has not violated any of the bail conditions.

The State's counsel, however, opposed the plea, asserting that the mere inconvenience faced by Ravi cannot be a valid reason for modifying the condition.

Ravi has appealed against the dismissal of her plea to modify the bail condition by a trial court's 9 August order.

According to the trial court judge, the investigating agency has clarified that the offenses under investigation involve suspected individuals located in various foreign countries. The agency is currently in the process of gathering crucial evidence from relevant agencies and intermediaries regarding these suspects.

Therefore, the judge believes that modifying the bail condition, as requested at this stage, would be detrimental to the ongoing investigation.

Ravi was arrested in Bengaluru on 13 February 2021, by a Cyber Cell team of the Delhi Police.