Premium
This is an archive article published on May 30, 2020

Jamia student granted bail in December case

Tanha was arrested by the Crime Branch on May 17 for allegedly instigating a crowd in Jamia Nagar on December 15, following which violence erupted in the area.

Delhi University, Delhi High Court, Delhi petition, Delhi news, city news, Indian Express Police have claimed he was among those who organised an anti-CAA protest in the area, and his name was mentioned in an FIR registered at Jamia Nagar police station on December 15.

A Delhi court has granted bail to 24-year-old Jamia student Asif Iqbal Tanha in a case related to violence in Jamia Nagar in December last year.

Tanha was arrested by the Crime Branch on May 17 for allegedly instigating a crowd in Jamia Nagar on December 15, following which violence erupted in the area. Police have claimed he was among those who organised an anti-CAA protest in the area, and his name was mentioned in an FIR registered at Jamia Nagar police station on December 15.

Additional Sessions Judge Gaurav Rao granted bail to Tanha on Thursday, noting the “clean antecedents of the accused, on the ground of parity…. and most importantly considering the situation arising out of Covid-19”.

The court granted bail to Tanha on furnishing bail bonds of Rs 25,000 with one surety of the like amount. Tanha has been directed “not to indulge in any violence” and “act like a good/responsible citizen as well as abide by the law of the land”. Tanha was represented by lawyers Trideep Pais and Sowjhanya Shankaran. As per the order, his counsel argued before the court that he was falsely implicated in the case and his arrest was “illegal, punitive and unjustified”.

The court looked at the investigating officer’s reply and noted that out of the 10 persons accused in the case, eight are on bail, following which it decided to grant bail considering on the ground of parity. Tanha is also being investigated in a UAPA case in connection with the February Northeast Delhi riots. He has been sent to judicial custody until June 25 in that case.

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Loading Taboola...
Advertisement