New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has granted interim protection from arrest to Nadeem Khan, a human rights activist and National Secretary of the Association for the Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), in a case involving charges of promoting enmity and criminal conspiracy. The case was registered following a viral video alleged to incite public discord.
Justice Jasmeet Singh, presiding over the matter, ordered that Khan not be arrested until Friday, provided he joins the investigation and cooperates fully. Additionally, Khan is barred from leaving Delhi without the investigating officer's permission.
The FIR, based on a video titled Records of Hindustan in Modi Sarkar, posted on a YouTube channel on November 21, accuses Khan of inciting violence through content referencing incidents and protests such as the Shaheen Bagh protests and Delhi riots. The video allegedly portrays a particular community as victims.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Khan, argued that the FIR lacked foundational facts to support the allegations and described the charges as conjectural. The Delhi Police, however, claimed sufficient evidence existed to establish a cognizable offence.
Justice Singh remarked that the harmony of the nation is robust and cannot be disrupted by one exhibition or similar activities, urging the authorities to place greater faith in the intelligence of common citizens.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on Friday, with the Delhi Police required to present all material collected during the investigation.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, along with a team of lawyers, appeared for Khan. Standing counsel Sanjay Lao represented the Delhi Police.
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Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
