The National Congressman Randeep Surjewala was granted five weeks of protection from a Non Bailable Warrant (NBW) by the Supreme Court on Thursday. The case pertains to a violent demonstration that took place in the divisional commissioner’s court and office compound in Varanasi 23 years ago.
A bench consisting of Justices JB Pardiwala, Manoj Misra, and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud ruled that Surjewala’s non-bailable warrant (NBW) cannot be implemented for a period of five weeks.
In addition, the bench gave Surjewala four weeks to file the case in the Varanasi court and request the NBW be canceled.
“We permit the petitioner to move the trial court for cancellation of NBW within four weeks and the warrant shall not be executed for the period ending after five weeks,” the bench said.
A Special Judge (MP-MLA) in Varanasi issued NBW on November 7, 2023, ordering him to be produced before the court on November 21 in connection with the case.
The court also wrote a letter to the Delhi Police Commissioner, directing him to ensure his appearance in the court on the prescribed date.
During the hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Surjewala, told the bench that the case dates back to the year 2000 when an FIR was registered against him because of alleged political agitation he did as a youth Congress leader.
Singhvi told the apex court that the incident occurred in 2000, and the summons against Surjewala was issued 22 years later in August 2022.