Nikita Jacob gets relief in toolkit case, Bombay HC grants transit bail for 3 weeks

Mumbai-based lawyer Nikita Jacob, who is one of the key accused in the toolkit case, has been given relief by the Bombay High Court during the hearing of a bail plea on Wednesday.

The Bombay High Court has allowed transit anticipatory bail application of Nikita Jacob and granted her transit bail for 3 weeks in connection with the FIR lodged by Delhi Police in the toolkit case.

In case of arrest, Nikita Jacob will be released on a personal bond of Rs 25,000 and one surety of the same amount, said the court. The court noted Nikita Jacob is a permanent resident of Mumbai and the FIR is lodged in Delhi, and the relief sought by her now is only temporary.

While passing the bail order, Justice P D Naik cited the Aurangabad bench order and considered similar Supreme Court rulings. Justice Naik said, "It would not be appropriate to make any observations on the merit of the case."

"It is undisputed that the FIR is registered in Delhi and Delhi Police officers had visited Jacob's residence and seized her mobile phone and laptop. The applicant had made herself available but Delhi police contend that the next day when they made an attempt, she was not available," observed Justice Naik.

Nikita Jacob's role in toolkit case

Nikita Jacob is one of the three prime suspects who are being probed by Delhi Police in the toolkit case in which 21-year-old climate activist Disha Ravi was arrested last week. Non-bailable warrants have been issued against Nikita Jacob and Shantanu Muluk, an engineer, for creating and spreading the toolkit on the farmers' agitation which was later shared by Greta Thunberg.

Following Disha Ravi's arrest, Shantanu Muluk, a resident of Beed in central Maharashtra, and Nikita Jacob had approached the high court seeking transit anticipatory bail after the non-bailable warrants were issued against them.

Police have alleged that Nikita Jacob and Muluk were among the around 70 people who had attended the meeting on preparing the toolkit organised by pro-Khalistan group Poetic Justice Foundation through the Zoom app, days before the Republic Day violence in Delhi that left more than 500 police personnel injured and one protester dead.

Delhi Police shifts focus on Nikita Jacob

Delhi Police is now focussing its probe in the toolkit case on the role played by Nikita Jacob. Delhi Police suspects that Nikita Jacob played a far bigger role than Disha Ravi as it was Nikita who roped in the Bengaluru activist for her popularity as a climate crusader.

According to Delhi Police, sources said Nikita Jacob wanted to use Greta's name to spread the propaganda among a larger audience.

Police have recovered data from Nikita Jacob, including WhatsApp chats, mails and also data from pendrive, desktop and her mobile phones.